davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
A Lincoln Reminiscence.

An old letter of President Lincoln's
has been published for the first time in
the Louisville Commercial. 1t was
written when he was 80 years of age,
and is interesting chiefly by reason of
description it contains of the appearance
of gang of slaves which Mr.. Lincoln
saw on steamboat, and which he after
ward declared awakened his first aboli-
tion sentiments. He spoke of them
chained together "like SO many fish
upon a trot-line," and after alluding to
the painful circumstances pertaining to
their unhappy condition, he added:
"And yet amid all these distressing cir
cumstances, as we would think them,
they were the most cheerful and appar-
emily happy creatures on board. One
whose offense, for which he had been
sold, was an over fondness for his wife,
played the fiddle almost continually,
and the others danced, sung, cracked
jokes, and played various games with
cards from day to day. How true it is
that God tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb or, in other words, that He rem
ders the worst of human conditions toll
erable, while he permits the best to be
nothing better than tolerable."
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
Personal.


Mrs. Silas Stugarts, Of Woodward
township, Clearfeld, county, Pa, gave
birth 20 triplets recently, the smallest
weighing seven pounds.
superhuous pardon has been gran
ted in New Hampshire to a bank robber
who escaped from prison acverHl year.
ago and has been at large ever since.
"where do wicked little boys 90 to
who fish on Sunday" asked teacher in
a sunday school. "Down TO 'Cullum's
Rifle" was the prompt reply.
A Vermont debating club is nov
struggling with the question, (Which
eats the most chickens-minister or
owls?"
The Washington FIRE department vast
ted ten thousand gallons Of water 10
amuse a company Of Indiana editors.
Kate" horpe Of Hartford, Conn, Ss
years and nine months old; and supposed
TO be the Oldest in the country, died on
Sunday week.
In our paper Of July last, Is an account
Of horse then living in Lexington, over
40 years old.-[Our Dumb Animals.
A correspondent, writing from Nisga-
ra Falls, says that Mccullough may be
seen at work on the very seaHold from
which he recently experienced HE
frightful and almost fatal fall
Mr.. Beecher has discovered a remedy
for somnolency Ia church. II consists
Of sitting down at home, in rocking
chair, about the time the second-bell
rings; and taking out a nap there.
Why is the letter Y like a young LADY,
Because it makes pa ay.--[EEohange,
Why is a young lady dependent upon
the letter Y? Because without Il she
would be young lad."-[Boston Ad-
vertiser.
81 tell YOU" said Wisconsin man 70
a neighbor next day after burying his
wife, "when came to get home and
stay thar, and not hearing Lucinda jaw
ing around for an hour and a half, Just
made me feel as II I'd moved into q
strang country"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
A Denver Attorney Battles a Judge.

From the Denver Times
From letter recently received from
Del Norte, we extract the following de-
scription of a scene which occurred in
the Court there, in which J. G. Taylor,
formerly of Gerry & Taylor, of this
city, took prominet part:
Taylor is counsel for defendant in
divorce case now being tried before the
Probate Court. By the way, the Court
is an ass, so to speak, as regards law.
During the whole trial Taylor's nerves
were taxed to the utmost to keep from
becoming angry at the rulings of the
Court against him, when he knew he
was right. Finally, when the Judge
made fearful ruling, Taylor sprang to
his feet, his face fairly blaziug with pas
sion, and threw down the law books on
the table with such force that they
bounded high in the air The Judge
turned pale as death and shrank way
back in his chair with awe-struck coun-
tenance. The other attorneys (plain-
tiff7s) also got out Of the way, scared
nearly to death TAYLOR shrieked with
rage: 4 throw. up this case. I will not
practice before such Court. BY Cd,
you might as we'll expect a HindOo to
keep track of the midnight marches of
the solar system, as for me to keep track
of the rulings of this Court, and the
pettifogging of these attorneys. Get out
of my way This last sentence to the
crowd Mrs. A., the defendant, wept
and clung to bis coat-tails, crying that
she would have no other attorney. Tay-
lor tore himself loose and strobe out of
the room, the crowd parting like the wa
tiers of the Red Sea Il think that was
the seal anna little mixed on Scripture
geography, when Moses fed from
Pharaoh. The Court suspended until
Taylor cooled off, pacing up and down
outside, then sent for him in the name
of the defendant, and he continued the
case. When he sat down the Judge said,
in meek voice, L would like to speak to
you moment, Mr.. Taylor Taylor re-
piled, You know your rights, sir; you
may fine me as much as you please, but
reserve your conversation for some one
else The Judge fined him so for con-
tempt of Court, and then remitted the
fine"
The writer goes on to say it was a
comical scene anyhow, and made an old
bony stage horse that was looking IN at
the window laugh so heartily that his
bones became Immediately covered with
a thick laver of adipose tissue. Fact,
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
The Gift Of the Nile.

Did you ever hear that rivers made
presents to the world?
never heard it until to-day. But it
seems that they do. The land Of Egypt
was gift Of the river Nile. II was in
this way: Once this country, now SO
fertile, was nothing but barren desert,
like that of the Great Sahara, which
lies near it. The river Nile had TO flow
through all this desolate country to get
to the sea, and every year brought down
from the rich land of Abyssinia as much
fertile soil as he could carry and over
flowing his banks, spread it all over the
sandy desert as far as it could reach
By doing this year after year, he turned
the desert into a fruitful land. Some
times he would bring down so Tquch
rich soil that he would have more than
he could spread on the sandy plain
This he would take down and drop into
the sea, until at last, in the course of
ages, he has built mp here a triangular
piece of fertile land called the Delta of
the Nile. The whole has formed a very
rich present to the world.-From Jack
in-the-P Pulpit, "St. Nicholas for June.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
Italian Railroads.

A correspondent, writing from Italy,
says: "Her railroads are magnificent
structures, waiting rooms elegantly fres-
coed, and the seats of the finest silk
velvet. When the train stops for dinner
they give you one hour to eat your meal.
The railroad beds are the smoothest l
have ever ridden over; the embankments
are all built of solid masonry of the most
substantial nature, and the bridges are
all massive stone. If the bridges, en-
bankments, and road-beds of New York
Central Railroad were built like those
of the High Italy Railway, that road
with its immense revenues, could not pay
a half per cent, dividend on the cost Of
its construction. The expense of rum
ming railroads in Italy is enormous. Ev-
cry ton of coal is bought in England, /,
costing ten dollars per ton, and transport
ed at an enormous cost to Italy. The
system is admirable. OF course do not
like the carriages; but in every other re-
spect they excel us Americans. 1t is
impossible for a traveller to get into the
wrong train or car. even if he does not
speak a word of either French or Italian.
Every man connected with railroad
wears a uniform, and the guard lifts his
hat to you as he politely examines your
ticket. L have travelled nearly 1000
miles in Europe, on many different
roads, and never missed a train or
knew one to be five minutes behind time.
Surely such facts attest the excellence of
the railway system in Italy"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
tFrom the Detroit Free Press, June Ill
A Rich Beggar Dismantled.

Yesterday an old man, poorly dressed,
limping as if very lame, and wearing
green glasses, entered a saloon on the
river road and asked for money, saying
that he lived st certain number on
Seventh street, and that his wife was
very i'll and he too old and lame to work
In the saloon was a man living at the
very number given on Seventh street,
but he was 80 confused that the half
dozen men present determined to see
how he was made up. He shouted "po-
lice" as they approached him, but the
men locked the door and threw him
down. The green glasses covered as
good a pair of eyes as were in the room,
and no cause forf his limping could be
found He had his left hand tied up,
but they jerked the rags off and found
mo hart or wound. Lastly, they flashed
soutSf his pockets $38 As cents in small
money, as he had begged it, and discov-
cred he had bank book on Chicago
savings bank with $4s0 so credited tc
him. He made great fuss as they
went on to expose him, and finally prom.
ised that he would leave Detroit by the
Pacific express and never come here
again. He claimed to have begged
most of the money in Toledo. One OF
the men accompanied the old knave tc
the Central depot and remained thert
until he saw him move away on the
train.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19

An English scientist claims to have
discovered one Of the causes Of typhoid
fever. A family in his neighborhood
was attacked with a severe type Of the
fever. On careful search Of the prem
ises a spout in the family pump was
found to be covered with sort Of glu-
tinous matter. Submitting this to mic
roscopic investigation IL was found to be
fungoid growth, from which spores
were constantly washed away by the
flowing water. He followed up the dis
covery by a minute examination of the
outlet Of the sewer through which the
drainage Of the town flowed, and his sci
entifc zeal was rewarded by finding fun
gold growths Of similar nature 10 those
in the pump spout. In the vicinity Of
this outlet the fever had also prevailed,
Having case Of the fever in his Own fam
lily he followed up his inquiry by a
chemical analysis Of the water drank by
the family and found in il minute spores
of the same fungus. His conclusion il
that the fever had ats origin in the fun
gus matter taken into the system where
il ferments as yeast in beer and poisons
the blood.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
influence Of Party Patronage.

The bestowal of party patronage upon
a journal is looked upon as the purchase
money of allegiance by the leaders who
have it in their gift; but the growing
race of independent journalists do not
so regard it. A case in point is that of
Congressman A R. Cotton, of the Sec
ond Iowa District. He desires a re-
election, but the majority of his consti-
tuents seem to think he needs rests. The
Davenport Gazette, the principal organ
in the District, took occasion to remark
a while ago that Mr.. Cotton had not i'm
pressed the people with fany superior
qualities of statesmanship," whereupon
Mr.. Cotton has written the editor high
toned letter, declaring that when he Sc
cured for that journal slice of pap in
the shape of some Government adver-
tising, he did not expect to find it
so requitting him with "disparaging
false editorials" If anything was need
ed to finish Mr.. Cotton, his frank ex-
preston of opinion concerning the
proper influence of Government patron
age ought to supply the want. To be
sure it is the popular idea, but all the
same it is contemplate one.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
One Dog Communicates Good News
to Another.

In the fall of 1861, my son, Sidney
c., entered the Federal army, leav-
ing behind him two favorite dogs, both of
whom greatly lamented his absence. He
was soon captured by the enemy and
held prisoner until the spring of 1862,
when he was exchanged; and. on return
ing to his command, came past the old
homestead in the country. in Bollinger
County, Missouri. Both the dogs hap
pened TO be about three hundred yards
from the house, barking up tree al
squirrel. After some time, however, the
smaller one became tired and came to
thehouSe, the larger one remaining at the
tree. The little fellow came bounding
in the room where his young master, who
had been so long absent, was sitting, ana
recognized him, and, ofcourse, had quite
a taking-on over him. The pleasure of
once mere meeting his kind master was
too great to be enjoyed all alone, so he
quickly turned his course in the direc-
tion of his companion in the woods, and
in all speed made his way to the tree,
and communicated to the large dog the
fact of his young masters arrival home,
when in an instant, both the dogs were
making for the house with all their
might, the larger one, who had remained
at the tree, taking the lead. and not
Stacking his speed until he bounded in
the room where Sidney was. The strange
part of this story consists in the fact that
the small dog not only communicated to
the large one the fact that Sidney had
come home, but in some way told him
the identical room in which he would
find him, as he ran around the house
and in at the very door where Sidney was
sitting without ever halting or even turn
ing his head toward several other doors
which he had to pass in making the cir
cuit-.S. Louis Globe.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
An admirable Wife.


The following is extracted from the
will of the late Chief Justice Robert
son: "Uniting our destinies when she
was not 16 and was not 10 years old,
my devoted wife and myself, without
any patrimonial estate, acquired during
a happy union of more than fifty-five
years, comfortable independence, ra-
tionally enjoyed as the fruit of our CO.
operating energies. After devoting to
the advancement of our children at
least $4,000 in various ways, still re-
tanning property sufficient for the COM
fort of my desolate old age, 1 desire that
what shall leave behind me undispos-
ed of in my lifetime shall be distribu-
ted among my descendants in such por-
tions as will as nearly as possible APP
proach legal equality, and for effectua-
ting that end now publish the testa-
mentary disposition of the residual es-
tate which Providence enabled my ad-
mirable wife and myself, by habitual in
dustry, to-earn, and by self-denying
economy and systematic prudence to
.ova
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
A Talking Robin.

A talki robin is described in Hard
wicke's Science Gossip, by Mr.. Alfred
Carpenter, who vouches for the truth of
the statement made by the owner of the
wonderful bird. This robin was capt
ured, while young by pet dog, and af-
ter recovery from his fright, was domest-
icated. He not only initiates the notes
of canary birds, but has learned to whIs-
tie from his mistress. He has now learn
ed to speak the words, "Pretty Bobby"
the pet name by which he has long been
called. 1t having been found that he
initiated those words, the formula was
changed to "Sweet Bobbie," which he
initiated very distinctly; and he now ut
tiers, not quite so distinctly, the phrase,
pretty little fellow" Mr.. Carpenter il
a strong advocate of the theory that birds
can communicate with each other by
language.-[ From The Dertisan.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
Using the Same Towel.

Health follows neatness, and disease
the departure from it. The use of the
same towel by many, common in a pub
lie place, though more allowable than
the use of the same tooth brush, is, new
ertheless, not much healthier practice.
l therefore would strongly recommend
that the use of the rolling towl be abol-
ished, for thereby we will discard one of
the great instruments for the spread of
such a dangerous disease of the eve by
which thousands of working-men are
annually deprived of their means of sup
port"
A prominent oculist says that the con-
tagious Egyptian or granular infamma-
ton of the eyes is spreading rapidly
throughout the country, and adds, ~
have in many, and may say in the
majority of cases, been able to trace the
disease to the use of the so-called rolling
towels. Such towels generally found in
our country hotels and the sleeping
apartments of the working classes, and,
being thus used by nearly ever one, are
made the carriers of one of the most dam
gerous, and as regards its symptoms,
most troublesome diseases of the eye.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
Lost His Grapes.

Frederick II. of Prussia, was one day
walking along the terrace at Sans souci
and noticed that his beautiful, large
grapes were suffering severely under the
appetites of the sparrows. Enraged at
the impudent thieves he offered price
for their heads, and in few weeks there
was not single sparrow in the royal gar
dens. In the following year, however,
not single grape ripened, and the Prus-
sian monarch found that as soon as the
sparrows disappeared the grubs, cater
pillars and snails began to commit their
depredations unmolested, and the king
found out that, although the sparrows
were great thieves, the useful qualities
far more than counterbalanced their bad
ones. He repealed his former edict, and
since that time sparrows and grapes have
prospered abundantly at Sans Souci.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
Beauty's AdOrnments-He Hebrew Bellies
Dress Now as They Did Under
SOlO1 on.
From the B'nai Birth Journal.

From the B'nai Birth Journal
1t is an interesting fact and true to u
great extent that the style of dress and
ornaments Of the Hebrew ladies of the
present dav-and in fact prevailing
toilet of ali ladies--is much the same as
during the time of Solomon. With all
the changes and variations of centuries,
the gradations of chignons and crino-
lines, we now find much of the simple
grace and easy symmetry of ancient
Greece
The Scriptures narrate great many
things about the style of dress worn in
the time of Solomon, and in the law of
Moses several directions are given con-
cerning garments worn by the Isrnel-
ties. In the Book of Judges the girls
of that period are described by Deborah
as "a prey of divers colors of needle
work." while Lemuel says, "Their cloth
ing is of silk and purple" In the fire.
quent intercourse between the Jewish
and other nations the ladies tired of their
primitive simplicity, sought the fashions
of the clever Egyptians, the elegant
Phenicians, and the luxurious Persians.
Even patient Job became impatient at
the dresses, and Isaiah denounces the
"women of the period" living for moth
ing but dress and Irritation. with the one
desire to "see and be SEEM
The tunic worn by the ladies in the
time of Solomon was much like the
polonaise of to-day, and the belt with
fancy clasps now worn are about the
same @As the leather girdles and silver
buckles worn of old. We also find re-
corded that trains were worn to dresses,
and that camels' hair shawls were COM
mon. Embroidered mantles, fastened
with golden pins, are also spoken of.
The hair was also oiled, dyed, and put
up in coils; little curls were let hang
. over the forehead, and. strange to say,
the girls of Solomon's time, it il stated,
used paint.
Neils were worn, and sandals were
made Of blue and violet colored leather,
with fancy lachets. Solomon, as is re-
lated, said to Shulamite, GLOW beauti-
full are thy feet with shoes. o princes
daughter" Hair nets were worn, and
earrings Of all forms and much value
were very common. Bracelets on the
right arm, strings of pearls and heavy
gold chains around the neck, rings on
the fingers, and other ornaments, were
all worn by the ancient Hebrew ladies.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19

CHEAP BUILDING MANsLAUGHTER.-
A trial is going on in Passaic, New Jer-
sey, in which the Attorney General of
the State appears for the prosecution,
the principle involved being whether the
owner Of house that fell and killed
two persons is not punishable for the
loss of the lives. The evidence shows
that the owner procured plans for a
cheap but pretentious two-story house;
that he changed the design to n three
story building, and 80 weakened it by
the change that the architect warned
him of the danger; that the warning was
unheeded; and that no precaution being
taken, the bu;l3ing fell as predicted,
killing two persons and injuring several
others. The accused Is q wealthy and
influential man, and the case excites
considerable attention. If he is convic-
ted and severe penalty inflicted il may
be a good lesson TO those living beyond
the confines of New Jersey.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19
MISCELLANY.
Am Ancient Hotel.

California holds the most singular ho-
tel in the world. II is situated between
San Jose and Santa Cruz. Imagine ten
immense trees standing few feet apart
and hollow inside; these are hotels; neat
breezy, and romantic. The largest tree
is sixty-fve feet around, and contains
sitting room and that bureau of Bacchus,
wherefrom IL distributed the thing thai
biteth and stingeth. All about thIs tree
is a garden of flowers and evergreens.
The drawing room is a bower made
from redwood, evergreens and madona
branches. For bed-chambers there are
nine great hollow trees, whitewashed or
papered, and having door cut to Fit the
shape of the holes. Literature finds a
place in leaning stump, dubbed the
'1ibrary." If it were not for that same
haunt of Bacchus, it is certain that the
guests of this forest establishment would
feel like nothing 70 much of dryads.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19

STRENGTH OF THE REBEL ARMY
An interesting correspondence has been
published between Joseph Jones and s.
Cooper, formerly Adjutant- General Of
the Confederate States, relative 10 the
forces in arms for the Confederacy.
From this correspondence il appears
that the Confederate States never had
more than 200, 900 men in arms at one
time. that from 1851 the whole number
of Confederates actively engaged was on
ly 100000, the number of deaths 2O0, 900; F;
of prisoners, considered total losses on ac-
count Of the United States policy Of ex-
change, 100000; losses by discharge, dis
ability, and desertion, 100000, and in
arms at the close Of the war less than
100000. 1t is evident that Gen. Cooper
greatly undertakes the loss by desertion,
1t Is believed on the best authority that
there were in the Confederate States az
the close of the war not less than 100000
deserters and persons lurking to avoid
conscription. Besides many Of the pris-
oners we're not totallyIlOst, large num-
Der having returned to the Confederate
ranks in the spring Of 1865. The fact
cannot be gainsayed, however, that II
there had heen less desertion, ard con-
scripts had come readily forward, and
the quartermaster's department had been
more honestly administered, Lee'e army
would not have been the ragged and
jointless skeleton that it was during the
last six months of the war.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19

A RAILROAD FOR THE GRAEGERs:-
Mr.. Logan's bill, in the United States
Senate, to establish a commercial rail
way with a capital Of $500, O,OOO, 900, pro
poses TO construct and operate a railroad
with four or more tracks from New York
city to the cities of Chicago and St.
Louis, dividing its main line at such
point as may be found best, with the right
to extend from Chicago to any point on
the Mississippi river above 81. Louis.
The road is to be begun within two years
and finished within twelve years. The
rates for transportation Of passengers and
freight are not to exceed ten cent per
bushel of garin by carload, bulk freight
and thirty-six cents per barrel Of -four
from Chicago or st. Louis to Jersey
City