davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Carrying the Mail out West.

The dog train is becoming thing of the past. The weekly mail is carried by this means between Sault St. Marie and Marquette, distance of nearly one hundred miles. The sledge is simply thin, infexible board. six or seven feet in length and foot or more in width, turned up at one end to enable it to rise over obstacles in the path. Along the edge, is Q low rail, to which the load is securely bound with cords. The burden carried is usually few blankets, rarely tent, provisions for few days, Q small axe and a few other things es- sential to wildwood locomotion. The driver never rides. This is tropical fiction. The frailty of the vehicle, the painless woods, and tho discipline of the draught animals, forbid such poetical means of progress. The dogs are far from being the noblest speci- mems of their race. They are mangy CUTS, which are called on from before, stimulated by famishing process and various ingenious kinds of torture, and occasionally propelled from behind. A wicked artist of Marquette, by won a man on a sledge to which dogs are at o''CAASA' OuV Il ASS5AOO UO DO OOAA&Cu CO say of the picture that it is a snare and deceit. The photographer is an ac- complished artist and conscientious gentleman, but his word has about 1t an air of filthy lucre, which has enticed many noble men to their ruin. The "Soo mail, as it is called, is in charge of two relics of the Chippewa tribe, who have come down to us from former generation. They perform their duties acceptably, and have never been known to plunder the mails, like city post office clerk, or to read the letters, like 8 country postmistress. Their weekly advent ill Marquette is still mar yelled at by group of dirty urchins, who have lingering love of the an tique, to which is added stray Bohe- milan, whom insanity or superior orders have driven to these high attitudes while the rigors of winter are prevail ing. One of the mail attendants us- ually precedes the train, on snow shoes, either to encourage the dogs to great CT rate of speed, or to break the path and remove obstacles. And this is all there is charming about travelling with a dog train in the winter.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Causes of Dreams.

That dreams of certain character accompany certain sensations to which the sleeping person is subjected either by accident or design, has been proved both by observation and experiment.. Thus Dr. Gregory, who paid much at tention to this subject, states that hav- ing gone to bed with vessel of hot water at his feet, he dreamed of walk ing up the crater of Mont Blanc, and felt the ground warm under him. He also, on another occasion, dreamed of spending winter at Hudson's Bay, and of suffering much distress from in- tense frost and found when he awoke that he had thrown off the bedclothes in his sleep, and exposed himself to the cold. Not long before the occur renee of his dream he had been reading a description of this colony. Dr. Reid, the well-known metaphysician, relates of himself that the dressing of a blister, which he had applied to his head, be- coming ruff1ed, so as to produce pain, he dreamed that he had fallen into the hands of party of North American In dians, who were scalping him. Prob ably thero is hardly single one of our adult readers whose own experience would not supply examples of like character with the above. We have all been so acted upon in our sleep, and we account for dreams of the kind by attributing them to sensations convey ed from the surface of the body, through the nerves, until some corresponding impression is produced on the mind. What is less easy of explanation is the fact, hardly less familiar to us, that any very strong impressions received dur ing the day may materially affect the character of our dreams at night. Thus, an odd figure we meet in the street in the morning, and forget almost as soon as he has passed us, will confront us again in our first sleep, and we shall find it impossible to get rid of .him. Or the noise and clamor of a mob of rabble, from which we have instinctive- ly run away in the day, shall renew it. self at night, their confused forms and discordant outcries constituting the dis dressing material of our dreams. Dr. Beattie relates that on one occasion, af ter riding thirty miles in very high wind, he passed night of dreams which were so terrible that he found it expedient to keep himself awake, that he might no longer be tormented with them. "Had been superstitious, he observes, T should have thought that some disaster was impending; but it occurred to mo that the tempestuous weather had encountered the preced- ing day might be the cause of all these horrors.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
The Two Great Parties in France.

The chief difficulty with which France has to contend in the construction and consolidation of her Government, is ob
 viously the extreme and heterogeneous character of the political principles pro- fessed by the two great parties into which she is mainly divided. This is the fatal danger that besets her; this is the curse which has weighed upon her since her first plunge into revolution. These two vast sections of the French people are, moreover, the opponents of religious sentiments tending in diame- trically opposite directions; the one, in nearly it's entirety, being bigotedly su- mitting it's political as well as its reli- gious course to priestly guidance; the mass of the other being free-thinkers tairians, with an especial leaning to- sez Pinfane" (the Catholic Church. ) Then, again, emphatically as these for midable masses differ from one another in their political and religious princi- pies, locally they are yet more obvious ly separated-the one being broadly represented by the urban, the other by the rural population. Confronted by such clements of opposition the numer- ically insignificant party of moderation is apparently powerless. Nor does either town or country present many traces of consistent cohesion. Enthu- siastically, nay, fanatically welded to certain social and political dogmas, neither of them can be said to possess any clearly -defned dominant principle from which, as from @ luminous centre, there might emanate rays of light rem dering intelligible the details of a com pact and determinate policy. Neither party can boast of accredited leaders of men endowed with the genius of statesmen, or even with exceptional po- litical reputation or experience. Igno- rance overshadows-it may be with somewhat unequal density, yet with equally disastrous consequences-the mass of each party, and petrifies its ob- stinacy. In the great centres of popu- lation we perceive crude, transcendental theories, which, while containing much that for benevolent and philanthropic intention, for elevation and purity of aim, may claim respect, are contamina- ted by association with projects based on destructive and unbridled passions. In the convictions and tendencies pre- sented by the scattered population of the country, we perceive much that is admirably conservative united to igno- rance based on the worst forms of big otry and superstition, and, therefore, of the most inveterate and obstinate char acter. The higher elements in the principles of each party are, no doubt, admirable, and might, by judicious cul- ture and careful handling, effect the salvation of France; but they are kept asunder and rendered hostile by the admixture of wild Utopias and fiery passions, and the obstinacy of stolid ignorant prejudices, both religious and political. cal.-M0cnailLQ MQa0si11e.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Terrible Scene in a Mepagerie.

The St0iss Times sys that at the men, agerie of Signori Bidel and Fairnali, at Turin, the audience was treated to Q performance not announced it the bills. Signor Bidel, the famous lion tanner, entered, as usual, Q large cage in which were lions, ionesses, bears, hy- enas, and lamb. After the feats of leaping, etc., ordinarily shown in such exhibitions, the grand feature consisted in the simultaneous approach of the wild animals to the lamb, and the ex- change of "the kiss of fraternity" This was accomplished successfully, the animals methodically touching noses, then gravely stalking back to their places. The performance was to close with putting the lambs head in the mouth of a. lion. No sooner had the jaws closed upon the head of the ani- nal 1t was evident by the eyes and movement of the tail of the lion that foul play was threatened, and before Q word of command could be given streams of blood were running from his mouth. Children screamed and women tainted, but fortunately the panic was of short duration. Signor Bidel, with a terrible blow on the throat of the lion and 0 shout of command, forced the half wild animal to relinquish his victim, and, al- though roaring fearfully, he sullenly obeyed the fixed eye and gesture of his master, retiring into the corner of the cage. But, to the renewed horror of the people, in dealing with the lion he hadturned his back on the lioness, which, with howl of rage, leapt upon his back. Fortunately for Bidel, her claws and teeth entered his clothing only, and. with Q spring and cry, leapt from under her, at the same time striking right and left with his loaded whip, forcing the animals to the front of the cage. There was an instant of hesitation on the part of the latter, during which Bidel, revol- yer in hand, unfastened the cage and backed himself out. Seeing him safe, the reaction of the audience was tre- mendous, and the cheers that greeted his appearance were deafening. AL though perfectly quiet, the deadly pal Tor of his face gave evidence of the dan ger he had passed.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Excellent Interest Rules.

For finding the interest on any prin- ciple for any number of days. The an- swer in each case being in cents, separ- the two right-hand figures of answer to express in dollars and cents:
 Four per cent.-Multiply the princi- pie by the number of days to run; sep arate right-hand figure from product, and divide by9.
 Five per cent.-Multiply by number of days, and divide by 72.
 Six per cent. Multiply by number of days, and divide by 6
 Eight per cent.-Multiply by number of days, and divide by forty-fve.
 Nine per cent.-Mnltiply by number of days, separate right-hand figure, and divide by 4.
 Ten per cent.-Multiply by number of days, and divide by 36.
 Twelve per cent.-Multiply by num- Der of days, separate right-hand figure, and divide by3.
 Fifteen per cent. Multiply by num- Der of days, and divide by 24.
 Eighteen per cent.-Multiply by num- Der of days, separate right-hand figure, and divide by ?.
 Twenty per cent.-Multiply by num- Der of days, and divide by Is.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Singular Lawsuit.

One of the best known cases among practitioners at the Bristol couaty bar, says Boston paper, is the famous suit of Morse vs Merritt. Out of an issue joined in 1863, involving $1 ,O56 worth of land and few cords of wood-the whole matter at interest not amounting to fifty dollars in value-has grown up ward of thirty separate suits, some of which have been contested at great ex- pense and with the most thorough de- termination on both sides, while the amount of moneys claimed by the liti- gants has already risen to over $6OO, Sometimes it is one party who sues the other, and sometimes it is the other who sues the one but in some sort of shape the ever familiar Morse vs Mer- Tit " garnishes the Clerks docket. The parties were both of Easton originally, and it is in that town that the property lies, out of which has proceeded so much trouble. Mr. William Morse now resides at Taunton, and MT. Isaac Mer- Tit at North Bridgewater. Nearly every lawyer in Bristol county has had oppor- tunity first and last to personally know something about this interminable pro- ceeding, and at last accounts one of the veteran litigants was girding him. self up to start for Boston to ally him. self with one of the more celebrated legal gentlemen of that metropolis in anticipation of further tilt in the Su- preme Court.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

RABBITS HA1R.-In Austria, attention is called to new and important indus try, viz: the incorporation of rabbits hair with wool and cotton in weaving textile fabrics. The shorter hairs, which are incapable of being woven, are readily purchased by felt hat manufac- turers at $3 pound. When properly prepared, the hair affords good strong yarn, which is said to be in no way in- ferior to wool. If all that the Austrian journals say on the subject be true, the raising of rabbits will soon become an important business. No animal is bet ter adapted to raising on large scale than the rabbit; they multiply almost as rapidly as white mice, and are 1oi confined to any particular climate. It is rather remarkable that the use of the hair has not been thought of before, particularly when we consider how many hundred million rabbits are annually destroyed.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Justice in California.

The first Alcade, in 1851, in Yreka, California, was known as "Out-eye Eos ter," but he left no docket, and soon ran away, and George c. Vail reigned in his stead. No law book was ever used in his court; he decided each case on it's own merits, writing out the full history, and his docket is curiosity. In one case brought before him, boy had driven team from Oregon, and worked all winter for @ man, who declined to pay. He sold out in the spring and was leaving suddenly, when, on complaint of the boy, Vail and two constables stopped him on the road. It was proved that he had received three thousand dollars on his sale, but he declared him. self unable to pay, though not denying the boys claim. Judge Vail decided in these words: Constable, stand this man on his head, shake him well, and see if you can't hear something drop!" No sooner said than done. A vigorous shaking brought to light wallet con- taining two thousand dollars in gold dust; the boy received his claim of three hundred dollars, the judge and consta- bles took an ounce apiece for their troub- le, and the defendant went his way lighter man. Justice like this was cheap at three ounces.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

THE SUCCESSFUL PHYsICIAN.-Dr. J. Walker Is achieving an eminent distinc- tion as benefactor of his species. Some stigmatize aH patent medicines with the odious epithet of quackery. But DR. WALKERS CALIFORNIA VINEGAR BrrTERs have the endorsement of the medical profession. The editor can conscien- tiously and cordially recommed the medicine, because he knows he has found great benefit from its use. For nearly twenty years he has suffered from derangement of the stomach. And though the disease has become chronic, he has already obtained great relief from this remedy. A physician left at death Q large volume, carefully sealed, and sup posed to contain Q fund of medical knowledge. On being opened, it was found to contain only this simple ad- vice: Keep your head cool, your feet warm and your bowels open" But there is a whole volume in this maxim. VINEGAR B1rTERs act as mild cathartic, leaving the system in healthy condi- tiSn. R. H. Mcdonald, an experienced druggist, associated with Dr. Walker, is man of thorough integrity and practical knowledge of the art of com pounding medicine. They have val uable medicine, and they know how to bring it to the knowledge of the public by judicious advertising. We are hap py to give them our hearty endorse ment, and bid them God-speed in re- lieving the ills to which flesh is heir.- Lock,Oood Iniomist, December 20, 1870.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

SOMETHING WORTH KNOWING. .-Medi- cal men advise that salt be taken with nuts, especially when eaten at night. cone time, says @ writer, "whilst en- toying visit from an Englishman, hickory nuts were served in the even- ing, when my English friend asked for salt, stating that he knew of the case of woman eating heartily of nuts in the evening, who was taken violently i'll. The celebrated Dr. Abernethy was sent for, but it was after he had become rather too fond of his cups. He mutt tered Salt, salt,' of which no notice was taken. Next morning he went to the place, and she was Q corpse. He said that had they given her salt it would haverelieved her. If they would allow him to make an examination, he would convince them. On opening the stomach the nuts were found in Q mass. He sprinkled salt on this, and immedi- ately it dissolved. have known of a sudden death myself which appeared to have been from the same cause. I generally eat salt with mine, and think 1t improves them"
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
THE WEEKLY SUN.
Only $1 a Year. 8 Pages.

THE BEST FAMILY PAPER.--Uho Weekly N. Y. Sun. Spages. $1 year. Send your Dollar THE BEST AGRICULTURAL PApER.---The Weekly N. Y. Sun. 8pages. $1 a year. Send your Dollar.
 THE BEST POLITICAL PAPER. The Weekly N Y Sun Independent and Faithful Against Public Plunder. 8pagos. $1 year. Send your Dollar
 THE BEST NEWSPAPER Weekly Now York Sun. 8pages. $1 year. Send your Dollar. HAS ALL THE NEws.-Tho Weekly N. Y. Sun. pages. $1 Q year. Send your Dollar. THE BEST STORY PAPER.--The Weekly N. Y. Sun. 8pages. $1 year. Send your Dollar. THE BEST FASHION REPORTS in tho Weekly N. Y. Sun. 8pages. S1 ayear. Send your Dollar. THE BEST MARKET REPORTS in the Weekly N. Y. Sun. 8pages. $1 year. Send your Dollar, THE BEST CATTLE REPORTS in the Weekly N. Y. Sun. Spages. $1 yeor Send your Dollar. THE BEST PAPER in Every Respect. t.--The Weekly N.Y.Sun. pages. $1 year. Send your Dollar
 Address THE SUN, Now York City.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Such q Famine.

While lodging through the country, says a funny writer, speaking of Cali fornia, I came across a potato patch where number of men were drawing potatoes out of the ground by means of derricks. The men looked gloomy and worked in silence, except that now and then they would stop and swear. Pota- toes like big powders, were lying abun' dantly around, not one of them weigh. ing more than half a ton.
 I asked tho men why they looked SC sad.
 "Total failure of the crop" replied one.
 They struggled away at the pulley ropes and brought up another potato very much like the butt end of 8 saw log.
 "Durn the little things" mutterec the owner of the patch; ''they're no wuth digging; let's quit"
 The men gave look of scathing con tempt, first at me and then at the pota toes, and the derricks were moved on tt the next hill.
 went on my way deeply impressed with the effect of a crop failure in Cali fornia.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

ACCIDENTALLY HUNa.-At Oakville, Pennsylvania, son of W. M. Watson, between three and four years old, acci- dentally hanged himself in his fathers hog pen, in the following curious man. ner: The boy had left the house while the mother was attending to some work, and on being missed, she went in search of him to the different places. Not finding him, she went into the lot in the rear of the house, and, to her hor- rof, discovered the child hanging with his head between two boards in a par tion in the pen, and dead. The boy had evidently climbed up the partition, and inserted his head in the crack, which was scarcely wide enough to ad- init it, when his foot slipped, and being unable to help himself, he was strang- led.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

INNOCENT OF THE CHARaE.-At Ches- ter, Massachusetts, mischievous lad named Willie Clark was arrested on charge of having so placed billet of wood upon the track that, but for time ly discovery, it must have thrown train from the track. When first ar rested and placed in cell of the Town Hall Willie positively denied the accu- sation; but upon being terrified by deputy sheriff with the threat that he should ''never go home to his mother again if he persisted, made confession of the alleged act When he did go home it was to die from terrer, cold, and fever, and to assure his mother with his dying breath that although the court had convicted him upon the con- fession he had made in terror of never seeing her again he was wholly inno- cent of having placed the obstruction on the track. The case has created a deep interest and much feeling in the locality.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
Hope On. Sweetheart.

Hope on, true friend, hope onl Let friends depart
 One faithful heart Is fixed and constant still Then let this one thought cheer thee; In spirit I am near thee;
 Hope on! Thy star is watching OCT thee, to guard thee from all ill. Hope on, sweetheart, hope on! By night and day,
 For thee I pray. Till all my toll be past These days so dark and drear, love Are passing-never fear, love; The star of love prevails OCT all twill bring joy at last.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

UNFORTUNATE. Springfield deacon who, after taking up 8 collection in nps and frRRf RR pfone D5Se in he Hh"ssfd se O tering a shower of pennies. over the floor, and groveling among the hats which the audience, according to their custom, had deposited in the aisle ad- joining each pew-door. It is related that low ripple. of laughter greeted the good man as he resumed his normal position, and with stern glances re- strained covetous youth from surrepti- tiously appropriating the wandering pennies,
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07
The Mystery of Edwin Brood.

In an inland village of New England there resides Q young, industrious and somewhat illiterate mechanic, who re- gently became conscious of remarkable medlumlstic powers, and from Q skeptic has become consequently an ar dent disciple of Spiritualism, and is now the channel of communication be- tween those who believe with him and their departed friends. During the past few weeks he has received visitations from the spirit of the great novelist, and has taken up the story of the Mystery of Edwin Brood" " precisely where Dickens left it when stricken by death, and is carrying it forward to completion. He writes only during these visitations and at the direction of the ghostly "Boz" He describes Dickens as sitting by his side, and ''the glorious beauty of his eyes is wonderful to behold" The continuation opens with 8 preface and dedication, both brief, particularly the latter. The ded- cation is to the poor, the honest poor, who are bound with the iron bands of poverty" and the first chapter of the spiritual production opens with the cap- tion, "What did the organ say ?" The most remarkable circumstance of all, however, is the reproduction of the GU rious jargon or refrain of "Wink, alias "Deputy."
 Widdy widdy wen
 -1m-out--ar-ter-ten
 Widdy, widdy wy
 Then--E-don't-go- o-then-I-shy
 Widdy, widdy wake cock warning.
 Of course, if this medium had ever read the work, his production of the above might be accounted for, but he had never seen the book, and probably never heard of it. He failed to recog- nize the features of Dickens at the first visitation, andon relating the circum- stances to Q friend, coupled with an ac- count of what was communicated at the time, the latter was led to believe that the features were those of the lamented author, and upon producing Q picture of Dickens to the medium he exclaimed at once, "That's the man'' Be sceptical as we may, we cannot but await with no inconsiderable interest the termination of this somewhat remarkable transac- tion, and the "Mystery of Edwin Drood" may yet be solved, but in such way, as we said before, as to render the "mystery" more mysterious than ever.-Ercha,age.
Connecticut western news., 1873-02-07

THE LATE EMPEROR people of Chiselhurst seem to mourn as if they had lost personal friend in Napoleon. It was the delight of the Emperor to walk about the village; every one ta knew racana nim 6y s,ght no s one ever failed pleasant smile. He was especially fond of the children, and often was he seen in the midst of group of little ones, batting their heads and giving them sixpences. "Know him p said an old laborer; "aye, bless you, I knew him we'll enough. Never spoke to him, cause he didn't ever speak to me, and I wouldn't take the liberty but used to touch my hat, or take it off, and then he'd do the same, as reg'lar as reg'lar."