davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
Dickens Domestic Life.

The younger sister of Mrs. Dickens
Miss Hogarth, who was with Dickens
when he died-was a member of his
household from the time of his marriage.
She was lady of greater energy OF
character than her sister, Mrs. Dickens,
and had the faculty of keeping the
house in order, and of doing wonders in
the education of the children. She was
housekeeper and governess in one.
Mrs. Dickens, after many years. became
acquainted with the fact that she was
of inferior consequence in her husband S
house, and was in deep distress because
the children loved their aunt better
than their mother. So the jealousy of
the lady was aroused. not on account of
her husbands affections going astray,
hearts of her children.
As this occurred after many years of
acquiescence in her inferiority as to
usefulness, the demonstrations of Mrs.
Dickens we're regarded by her husband
as exceedingly absurd. Mrs. Dickens
could not bear to accept the situation,
and at last made the issue that if her
sister did not leave the house she would
leave it. Dickens said that he thought
the presence of the sister-in-law was
more important to the children, whom
she had cared for from their infancy,
than that of the wife, who had been of
no service to them after they were born
and sucked. Therefore his wife might
go; and she did go, taking her eldest
son, Charles Dickens, Jr., with her.
After the separation the estrangement
grew more serious, and the terms in
which Dickens mentions his wife in his
will are cold and almost disrespectful.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25

As by constant friction steel is kept
highly polished, so by constant exer-
else is talent at its brightest. All our
powers grow by use. If we neglect to
cultivate the habit of observation, we
might as well walk through the world
blindfold. We lose our faculty-what
artists call our "touch''-by neglect of
practice on other things besides the
piano. The man who seldom reads,
reads slowly; the woman whose writing
is confined to an infreQuent letter to
some absent child, spends more time
over that than does practiced writer
over dozen pages of manuscript. Tx
ercise of possessed talent is absolutely
necessary, then, if we would retain our
Gifts. For example: if our occupation
Is sedentary, we need to plan for walks,
rides and active games to keep our
muscles 1.-THE and serviceable. But ii
our employment gives us enough mus
cular action, it is not one whit less i'm
portant to our health of body that we
should plan for mental exerclse-for
employment enough of our memory and
our reasoning powers tokeep them from
rusting. And, in either case, that life
must be a dwarfed and unhealthy one
that does not provide exercise for our
spiritual faculties-for worship, and
charity, and patience, and magnanlm-
ity. Exercise of soul, mind and body,
can alone bring us to the stature OF the
perfect man.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
Polite Pickp0ekets.

Among the English visitors to Paris
during the gay season of the new year
were several pickpockets, who were,
however, in most cases, received by the
police of the festive city, so that, as the
American poet sings, ''the subsequent
proceedings interested them no more. "
There were some of the elite of the Eng
lish practitioners-who are, however,
rivalled, if not excelled, in dexterity
and ubiquity by their French compeers.
The following story is told of the latter
by French journal: A physician, Off
cislly connected with the prison of La
Force and much beloved by this light
fingered patients, perceived on leaving
the Varieties one EVENING" that his pocket
had been picked and that his opera
glass was gone. Next day, on meeting
the denizens of La Force, he expressed
his displeasure at the occurrence. 'It
is all very well," aaid he, "for you to
say / am popular among you, but am
treated Just as others are. Some of
your friends contrived to relieve me
of my opera-glass last night, at the
Varieties" "That was only because
they did not know you, doctor" replied
a prisoner. "Who was on duty at the
Varieties last night ?" he required, turn
ing to a comrade. The answer was
given in a whisper. "You shall have
your glass TO- morrow" he added. Next
day person called on the physicians
wife. "Here," said he, "are all the
opera-glasses stolen two nights ago at
the Varieties. Please to point out the
Doctors" The lady having done so,
the obliging pickpocket handed it to
her, restored the others to their cases,
and disappeared Mall Gazette.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
A Trait OfTennysOn.

One peculiar trait in the character OF
the poet laureate is his unusual shrink
ing from active life and public view.
The world knows little of his life-it
knows him by his poems. 1t has evil
IDENTIFY been Mr.. Tennyson's desire to
escape observation, and he succeeds in
doing SO very thoroughly. Few stran-
gers gain access to him, and conse-
quently many ill-natured stories have
been circulated at his expense. One
anecdote, however, not particularly i'll
natured, will bear repeating. A we'll
known prince of the house, of Bruins
wick, familiar with Mr.. Tennyson's s
shrinking habits, yet naturally anxious
to pay his respects to the poet, in the
neighborhood of whose home in the
Isle of Wight he found himself, made a
call unaccompanied and strictly ineog-
nito. A page came to the door, "Who
shall I say p "The Prince of Wales, -
was the reply. Whereupon the page
playfully observed, "Hal yes; prince
Of Wales. We know a trick worth two
of that !" and slammed the poets door
in his royal highness' face.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
Attacked by Vampires.

What an awful item this is for the
worshippers of mere Nature. 1t is
meant to excite the self protective in
dustry of Mdn-"He Who looks up
ipdrd" to the destruction of the horrible
creatures? or to incite him to the dis
gust of mere Materialisnl, the thing
called common sense?'-
ga gentleman states that, while in
Surinam, he awoke about four o'clock
one morning, and was considerably
alarmed by finding himself weltering in
CONCEALED blood, and was unable to
account for this, as he felt no pain
whatever. This mystery says he,
was that had bitten by vampire, or
spectre of Guiana, which is also called
the flying dog of New Spain. This is
no other than bat of monstrous size,
that sucks the blood from men and cat
tie while they are fast asleep, even,
sometimes, till they die and as the
manner in which they proceed is truly
wonderful, 1 will endeavor to give a
clear account of it. Knowing, by in
stinct that the person that they intend
to attack is in a sound slumber, they
generally alight near the feet, where,
while the creature continues tanning
with his enormous wings, which keeps
one cool, he bites piece out of the
great toe, so very small indeed that the
head of pin could scarcely be received
into the wound, which is consequently
not painful yet through this orifice he
continues to suck the blood until he is
obliged to disgorge. He then begins
again, and thus continues sucking and
disgorging until he is scarcely able to
fly, and the sufferer has often been
known to pass from time to eternity.
Cattle they generally bite in the ear,
but always in places where the blood
flows spontaneously. Having applied
tobacco ashes, as the best remedy, and
washed the gore from myself and ham,
mock, observed several heaps of con-
gealed blood all around the place where
1 had lain, upon the ground, on exam
ing which the surgeon judged that l
had lost about fourteen ounces OF
blood"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
The Difficulties of Prospective
Matrtm0ny.

1t is said that Sir Walter Campbell,
who was lately in a mercantile firm in
New York, wished to marry an American
young lady, of good position, in the
Empire State. Upon his applying to
the young lady's father, the parent
stated he always referred all those
questions to his wife. The mother in
her turn, stated that she must refer it
to the Duke Of Argyll. The Duke
pleaded that, considering his connec-
tion with royalty, he must consult his
eldest son. The Marquis could do
nothing without the Queens consent.
Her majesty felt that the issue must be
referred to the Duke of Saxe-Cobourg-
Gotha, as head of the family. The
Duke rejoined that, since the recent
changes in Germany, he looked upon
the Emperor William as his sovereign,
and must bow to hi, advice. The EN-
peror said he could do nothing without
Prince Bismarck's opinion and Prince
Bismarck declared he had no opinion
at all, one way or the other ; and so the
question-to marry or not to marry
was brought to dead lock.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
with the making of you. ."-Lippincotf.
On q SlayeCOach.

There are few pleasures in life equal
to that of riding on the bo1-seat of a
stage-coach, through country unknown
to you, and hearing the driver talk
about his horses. We made the init
that days ride, and learned the peculiar
disposition and traits of each one of
them, their ambition of display, their
sensitiveness to praise or blame, their
faithfulness, their playfulness, the readi.
ness with which they yielded to kind
treatment, their daintiness about food
and lodging.
May 1 never forget the spirited little
jade, the off-leader in the third stage,
the petted belle of the route, the nery-
GUS, coquettish, mincing mare of Marshy
Hope. A spoiled beauty she was you
could see that as she took the road with
dancing step, tossing her pretty head
about, and conscious other shining black
coat and her tail done up sin any SIM
pie knot like the back hair of Shell
ley's Beatrice Cenci. How she ambled
and sidled and plumed herself, and now
and then let fly her little heels high in
air in mere excess larkish feeling.
$50 girl I; so ! Kitty" murmurs the
driver in the softest tones of admira-
tion ''she don't mean anything by it,
she's Just like kitten"
But the heels keep flying above the
traces, and by and by the driver is
obliged to "speak hash, to the beauty.
The reproof of the displeased tone is
evidently felt, for she settles at once to
her work, showing perhaps little i'm
patience, jerking her head up and down,
and protesting by her nimble move
ments against the more deliberate trot
of her companion. believe that blow
from the cruel lash would have broken
her heart or else it would have made
little fiend of the spirited creature.
The lash is hardly ever good for the sex
conclude that the most delicate and
important occupation in life is stage
driving. 1t would be easier to "run,"
the treasury department of the United
States than a four-in- hand. 1 have a
sense of the unimportance of everything
else in comparison with this business in
hand. And / think the driver shares
that feeling. He is the autocrat of the
situation. He is lord of all the humble
passengers, and they feel their inferior
ity. They may have knowledge and
skill in some things, but they are of no
use here At all the stables the driver
is king; all the people on the route are
deferential to him they are happy if he
will crack a joke with them, and take it
as favor The gives them better than
they send. And it is his joke that al
ways raises the laugh, regardless of its
quality.
We carry the royal mail, and As We
go along drop little sealed canvas bags
at way offices. The bags would not
hold more than three pints of meal, and
can see that there is nothing in them.
Yet somebody along here must be ex-
pecting letter, or they would not keep
up the mail facilities. At French River
We change horses. THERE'S mill there,
and there are half dozen houses, and
a cranky bridge, which the driver thinks
will not tumble down this trip. The
settlement may have seen better days,
and will probably see worse.-Atiantic
Monthly.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
Oil Cloth.

The custom of covering floors, halls,
and passages is very general. Where
warmth and comfort are desired, car
pets are used. Where something more
durable and less costly is demanded, a
covering of oil or floor cloth has been
invented. This cloth or canvas is a
very strong fabric, made of flax or hemp,
painted on both sides, the under side
being plain, the upper side ornamented
with patterns or designs of two or more
colors. The cloth used for this purpose
should be without seam. So that when
pieces of great width are required, two
men are employed at the loom, one on
each side, for throwing the shuttle back
and forth. This kind of cloth being
woven for this purpose alone, its manu-
facture forms distinct branch of busi-
ness, Pieces are made from eighteen
to twenty-four feet wide, and the length
often exceeds one hundred yards.
When the canvas is received at the
mandatory, the bales containing one
hundred or more yards, and weighing
nearly six hundred pounds, are opened
and cut in pieces of sixty or one hun
dred feet, as may be required. These
pieces are then taken to the "frame
room," which consists of a number of
strong wooden frames, standing upright,
few feet from each other. The space
between the frames is occupied by a
scaffold of four tiers, which may be
reached by means of ladder at one
end of each frame. The edges and ends
of the canvas are fastened to the frame,
and by-means of screws the beams of
the frame are moved so as to tighten
and stretch it to its utmost tension. In
this position every part of the cloth can
be reached from several platforms.
The first operation, preparatory to pain
ting, is covering the back of the canvas
with weak solution of size, applied
with brush and while yet damp, the
canvas is thoroughly rubbed with pu-
mice stone. By this means the irregu-
larities of the surface are removed, and
the size penetrates the interstices of
the cloth, so preventing the paint, which
is afterwards applied, from penetrating
too far, which would render the oil cloth
hard and brittle. This printing and
securing are carried on form the top
downward.
When the surface is dry, q coat Of
paint, made of linseed oil and some
cheap coloring matter is applied. This
paint is very thick, and is thrown on to
the canvas in dabs with q short brush ;
it is then spread with a long and very
elastic steel trowel. The paint is thus
thoroughly worked into the web of cloth,
filling up all inequalities, and render
ing the surface smooth and level. This
s.trowel-color," as it is called, is allowed
to dry ten days or longer, according to
the weather, after which a second coat
is smoothly laid on which the trowel,
completes the work for under side of
the canvas. After the first coat of paint
is applied to the under side. the same
process is commenced on the face side
of the cloth the size is applied, then
rubbed in with a pumice stone; the
first trowel-color is then put on, which,
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
MIFFLINTOWN, JUNIATA COUNTY, PENNA. MARCH 1874

when dry, is also rubbed down with q
/ pumice-stone two more coats are ap-
piled with the trowel, with a pumice.
stone rubbing after each. Finally, q
fourth coating of paint is applied with
brush, which is the ground color for
the designs which are to be painted on
/ it. The floor cloth is thus completed,
the various operations occupying from
| two or three months, when it is ready
/ to be removed from the frames and
transferred to the printing rooms.
The printing of the cloth is done on
fiat table, over which it is drawn as
fast as the designs are impressed. This
is done with wooden blocks, not unlike
those used in the old method of calico
printing. As the patterns generally con-
sist of several colors there are as many
blocks and as many separate printings
as there are colors in the designs. "In
preparing set of blocks for printing
oil cloths, an accurate colored sketch
of the design is first made on stout pa
per. A blank sheet of paper is then
placed under the pattern, and all the
figures of another color are pricked out
in a similar manner. Thus the pattern
is dissected on as many sheets of paper
as there are colors to be printed. One
of the pricked sheets is then fixed on
the surface of block, aod little pow
dered charcoal is busted over it from q
muslin bag, so as to penetrate the hole.
The dotted line thus made on the block
serves to guide the pencil of the en-
gIaver when the paper is removed, and
enables him to draw the portion of the
pattern required for that block. The
same plan is pursued with other blocks,
which are then ready for the engraver,
who cuts away the wood, and leaves the
pattern in relief"
The blocks used for printing are gen.
orally about eighteen inches square, the
engraved portion being made of some
close-grained wood, such as the pear
tree, and fastened to blocks of pine.
These engraved blocks, in large estab-
hshments, constitute q verv valuable
portion of the stock. Before the de-
signs are impressed on the cloth, it is
made slightly rough by means of a steel
scraper aud scrubbing brush, which
prepare it to receive the colors more
readily. Near the printing-table is
placed a number of fiat cushions, on
which the coloring matter is first placed
with brush. The printer presses the
block on the cushion, which is charged
with the color, and then applies it to
the cloth, holding it firmly, at the same
time striking it several blows with the
handle of heavy hammer. A second
painter charges his block with differ
ent color, and applies it in the same
manner. He is followed by third, and
as many others as may be required to
form the most variouly colored pattern.
As fast as the cloth is printed it passes
through an opening in the floor to the
drying room, where it becomes hard
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25

A SWARM OF BEEs.-Take B from an
instrument of sound, and leave a mea-
sure.
Take B from small vessel, and leave
a grain.
Take B from a basin, and leave a
bird.
Take b from q blossom, and leave a
machine.
Take b from color, and leave want.
Take B from q note, and leave sick
ness.
Take B from a shrub, and leave to
wander.
Take e from an animal, and leave a
human feature.
AnsaCer :-(B)ell; (B)oat Bowl ;
(B)loom; CB)lack; Bjiil; (B)ramble /;
(B)ear.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25
Poetry.
Bearing the Cross.
rkAxsLArEp FROM THr eKRnAs


The heavier cross, the nearer heaven,
No cross without, no God within;
Death, Judgment, from the heart are driven,
Amidst the worlds false glare and din,
OF happy he, with all his loss,
Whom God hath set beneath the cross
The heavier cross. the better Christian:
This is the touehstone God applies;
Eov many a garden would lie wasting.
Unvet by showers from weeping eyesi
The gold by ere is purified
The Christian is by trouble tried
The heavier cross, the stronger faith:
The loaded palm strikes deeper root;
The vine juice sweetly issueth
When men have pressed the clustering frui;
And courage grows where dangers come,
Like pearls beneath the salt sea foam
The heavier cross, the hesrtier prayer:
The bruised herbs most fragrant are;
II wind and sky were always fair,
The sailor would not watch the star;
And Dsvid's pssl ms had ne'er been sung
II grief his heart had never wrung
The heavier cross. the more aspiring:
From wales we climb to mountain crest;
The pilgrim Of the desert tirng,
Longs for the Canaan Of his rest.
The dove has here no rest in sight,
And to ark she wings her fight.
The heavier Gloss. the easier dying:
Death is friendlier face to see;
To HES decay one bids defying-
From life's distress one then is free.
The cross sublinely lifts our faith
To Him rho triumphs over death.
Christ erucihedi the cross carry
The longer may 1t desrer be;
And lest faint whilst here l tarry,
lnplaut thou such a heart in me,
That faith. hope, love may flourish there,
TIL for NY cross the crown wear
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25

A GENTLEMAN, coming home at even
ing, spoke hastily to his little three
year-old, who was playing very noisily.
The little lady dropped her playthings,
and retreated Indignantly to a corner.
"What is the matter ?" asked papa.
"Well, said the child, 'Tve been a
good girl all this day, and now you
come home and make trouble the first
thing"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25

NELLYs COMPANY-Nelly's house was
on the doorstep, and she was going to
have company. She went down to the
other end of the walk, where Harry
lived, and raped on the fence.
Harry did not seem to hear her at
first. Perhaps that was because he was
so busy making pies. He had some
currants, and some sand for sugar, and
was stirring them briskly together in a
broken lamp-chimney.
Nelly waited little while, and then
raped again; and this time Harry
shouted, Come in ~
How do you do. Mr. Rice ?" said
Nelly. ''It's beautiful day, isn't it q
"Yes," said Harry; 'yery fine. Won't
you take seat %
I'm Mrs. Bradley" said Nelly, seat
ing herself upon the block of wood that
was Harry's sofa. I'm going to have
company, and L want you to come to
tea"
Harry dropped his currants, and took
his hat down from the fence.
Il don't want you to come no,U, said
Nelly. at is morning now. 1 don't
want you come until afternoon. The
loves: step is my parlor; and after din
ner l shall be there, and then you may
come"
Harry waited until he saw Nelly
seated in her parlor, and then went to
make his visit. Besides Harry, there
were Nelly's little brother Willy, and
Dinah the cat.
They had footstool for table, and
pretty little dishes with gilt bands and
flowers. They had real bread, and cake
too, and currants for preserves. Nelly
poured the water into the little cups,
and pretended to put in sugar and
cream. Harry sat on the other side OF
the table, and passed the currants.
Little Willy did not know how to
play having company, and soon ran
away to play with his ball. As for
Kitty, she played with her tail, and
acted so badly, that Nelly had to tell
her that she must go away, and have
her supper by herself.
After Nelly and Harry had eaten mp
the bread and cake, they washed the
dishes, and put them away. Then
Harry asked Nelly to come and see him
some time, and said, "Good-by, Mrs.
Bradley. The Nursery.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-03-25

Longfellow, on being asked by a
country schoolmar'm recently to write
his name in her album, with a senti-
ment," replied, 81 will write my name,
but L haven't any sentiments"