davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

A prominent New York paper has
circumvented the poets by employing
botanists to decide upon the merits Of
their contributions. This learned herb
doctor writes as follows to one of the as
piring bards whose verses were rejected:
"When you drew picture of a forest
haunt in summer, l tried to imagine
and see what you described. / inmedi-
ately got into confession. 1t sounded
well, but, botanicaliy, it was all awry.
You drew it from your Imagination, or
rather from the poetry Of your reading,
and not from nature. / don't know
scenery in your region very well; but
~ doubt somewhat if the frs will
lows 'aspens,' oaks and 'dogwood'
grow together 2 doubt those daisies
in summer on the slope But it is pos
sible. 8. There is no heather in the
United States, except a very little in
Tewksbury, Mass. 4. If there were
heather on that side hill, it would be a
dry hill, and it would be brake, and not
fern s. 'Daffodils' do not grow on side
hills, or anywhere else except in gardens.
6. Of all green, emerald is the last to
describe Willows which are very
light, whitish green. Z. 'Dogwood'
blooms in snowy bowers never in sum-
mer, only early spring. 8. Your wood
bine's golden belp may be right if you
mean what is commonly called honey
suckle. o. What the amber dropped
in summer by the popular is / can not
| guess"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01
MISCELLANY.
How VesuYius Operates.

From a Letter by 10. Medill to Chicago Tribune,
No smoke such as that produced by
the combustion of any carbon substances
ever issues from the mountain. The
seeming smoke is always steam or aque-
ous vapor, more OF less dark as it hap
pens to be charged with ashes. When
this vapor condenses in the atmosphere,
it descends in the form Of rain; and, if
much mixed with ashes, it falls IN a
paste or muddy shower. During great
eruptions, when enormous quantities of
ashes are elected with thick clouds of
vapor, they fall in torrents of mud and
water. This is exactly what happened
1900 years ago, when Pompeii, Hercu-
laneum, Sable and several other towns
were destroyed by that awful eruption of
A. D. 70. The tremendous heat in the
bowels of the mountain, coming in con-
tact with a great body of water from the
Mediterranean Sea, which had percola-
ted through the fssures of the stratifed
limestone and other rocks, with the in
ternal fires, instantly acting on it like
furnace-heat, instantly converted it into
steam. The sudden conversion of mill
| lions of cubic feet of water into high
steam by the subterranean fires produced
the phenomena of exploding steam on a
| vast scale.
The sudden and resistless expansion of
water into 100 times its original bulk
tore great rents and assures in the sides
of the mountain, through which, as the
lowest points of exit, flowed heavy
streams of melted lava; and from the
crater itself, being the highest part OF
the mountain, and acting like chimney,
issued forth vast clouds of steam, mixed
with sulphur-vapor and enormous guam
titles of ashes and showers of stones
which were flung out by the explosions
of the water into steam. The fire that
is seen above the crater during an erup'
tion
Is NOT FLAME,
But is the reflection of the molten lava
within the crater upon the clouds ol
aqueous vapor and ashes suspended ovel
it. The lightning which is seen dartins
from the edges of the black cloud is pro
duced by the electricity which is the re
suit of. the rapid condensation of vapol
into water, and of water into steam, un.
der the effect of the heat radiated from
the crater.
Previous to the great eruption of A. D
70, which destroyed Pompeii, there hat
been passive period extending bacl
beyond recorded history. The Greek
had settled around the Bay Of Maple
one thousand years before that event, ant
their early writer's had never heard of al
eruntion of Vesuvius
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01
Beecher's Love Story.

Tom was a strapping, healthy boy, with
a great appetite. He lived up in the
mountains among the charcoal burners
until he was nineteen. Then he went
down into the valley and hired out to a
farmer. Tom was a sculliou and drudge,
and the first month the farmer hesitated
to trust even the hogs to his care. But
there was a glimmering Of something
in him that showed just little through
his uncouthness. After year or two he
became a full farm laborer-a broad
shouldered. deep-chested, powerful fell
low, who made himself clumsily useful.
Well about that time the farmers daugh-
ter came home from school. What re-
velation she was to Tom. He never knew
until then what It was to worship any,
thing, nor how awkward and coarse he
was. He would have given all he had,
which wasn't much, to learn how to get
into a room without hitting the door, or
what to do with his hands, or how to sit
down right. He began to change his
clothes Tor better ones when he came in
from the days work, and there was about
HIM the dawning Improvement. Final
ly the great day came. He stood tremb-
ling before the farmers daughter, the
hard word was spoken, and she didn't re-
pulse him. l think there is nothing in
the life of a man which so rouses and stirs
him as love. Tom went to the wrestling
matches, and what vim there was in
him. He read, he went to chrnch, he
wanted to see how people acted. And
when after good life he grew to be an
old man, and talked in a trembling voice
to his grandchildren, he used to, "Oh,
what wife she was to me. Whatever !
became she made me-" The world is full
of lust such instances of blessed influence
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

A RETIRED Physician writes, How
does it happen that amid the everlasting
cry against drunkenness, we never hear
a word against its sister evil, gluttony?
think can assert with truth that in q
long practice, three have died among my
patients from over-eating where one has
died from drink. Whence come apoplexy,
paralysis, dyspepsia, and host Of other
diseases, but from too much and too rich
food taken under the most imprudent cir
cumstances. And yet we hear of no socie-
ty formed to prevent this growing vice.
A man eats until he drops down and ex-
pires with apoplexy by the road side
when up comes the Coroner with a jury
of twelve good men and true, who pro-
nounce a verdict, Died from intemper-
ance." So he did, but what kind Of in
Temperance was il? have heard more
than one minister in the pulpit expatiate
with great vehemence against tie sin Of
drunkenness, whose very appearance was
proof positive that he was pre-cminently
guilty Of gluttony."
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01
General Notes.

The fact being ascertained that the la
dy ate onions, ruined her case in a recent
breach of promise suit in Iowa.
North Carolina tries to tempt emigra-
tion by the stat, ment that home in it,
pine woods is a sure cure for consnmp.
tion.
An indianapolis man laid a wager with
young lady that she could not pass
week without speaking. The lady won
The Maine people are waking up to the
enforcement OF the fish laws, and man
was fined fifty dollars the other day for
merely bringing a salmon to market in
Bangor out of season.
Chinaman on trial in California for
larceny, proved that he was not within
mile of the property when It was stolen.
He was bt off with one years imprison-
ment for contempt Of court.
A soldier stationed at Sioux City re-
ceived $1,000 two weeks ago and spent
the last dollar of It in nine days, making
one purchase Of eighteen barrels Of
whisky and giving them away to his
friends.
The Brooklyn Argus says: "The order
forbidding conductors Of our city rail
road cars to enter any house where liquor
is sold works beautifully. They stand
outside now and take il through the win
dow"
While manipulating the windlass Of
well, the other night, a party who had
been laying in a stock Of whisky before
it was all seized by the police, let the
handle slip when the bucket was half
way up, and naturally enough received
chuck under the chin that knocked
him over a nighboring fence. "Sold a.
gain" he muttered, as he climbed to his
feet, "might anode-hic-better then to
-hic-go foolin roun' 50 much water.
Betcher boots I'll site Z whisky after
this"
p. p. HENDERsoS, Treasurer Of war
rem County, Iowa, has explained his gard
ual advance in addition, division and sill
ence. In his first term, 1866 and 1867, he
took 81, ,881 80; second term, about So, 900;
third term, about the same. His total de-
ficiency is over $32, 900, and he has turn
ed over $4,000 in property.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

am not Monte Cristo," he went on
jestingly perhaps in his turn to cover up
some emotion, 'but still l have heaped
up treasures enough in my wanderings
to make future work purely labor OF
love"
But, Ray" said Sylvia, amazed,
why have you kept it from me all this
while?"
Rays dark cheek Redeemed little.
Il am ashamed of my own weakness,
he said, but Sylvia, a life that is turned
violently out of its natural bent is very
apt to get permanently warped. In the
years when ! was plodding through an
uneongenial task without one word to
encourage me, [ kept brooding over all
| had given up; and when the prospect
looked just as dark, month after month I
said to myself, with despairing sort OF
pride, that if it were TO my life's end,
would never see Sylvia again till l could
satisfy her prudence."-
"Rayl'' cried Sylvia, in incredulons
reproach.
Il know, Sylvia it was shamefully un-
just, but not perhaps, wholly unnatural.
Well 1 came home, and for the first mo-
ments, forgot everything, with your
hands in mine. But then your manner
grew so constrained, so cold"
Because of yours"
WAS it that? Yes, l suppose so; but
I saw everything wrong, and I kept
waiting for some sign from you. But to-
night you brought back the old time so
completly, it was too much for me-
''Thank Heaven said Sylvia.
So the wrong was righted, and love
and faith had their reward even in this
world-which chances, perhaps, less
rarely than some would have us believe.
The studio was re-opened, not with Miss
Rivers dark eyes for inspiration though,
but lovely pale face, which, as Rays
pictures are now known, fortune having
Iavished her smiles on him as soon as
he was in no more need of them, may
often be traced on the canvas of the ar
tist, who is unconsciously apt as most
other artists to make model of the face
he loves best-Kate Putnam Osgood.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01


81 GoTs NUFF NIT SUCH FOOLISH
Ess."-Itis pleasant to become a parent;
twice as pleasant, perhaps to be blessed
with twins; but when il comes TO triplets,
we are little dubious. Now there
dwells in Jefferson county, Wisconsin, a
German, who, few years ago, was pre-
sented by his wife with a son. Hans said
to her:
Katrina, dat ish goot."
A couple of years later the good wo-
man placed before his astonished eyes a
bouncing pair Of twins.
"Vell," said Hans, "dat wash peter
ash der odder times; trinls more ash
ten glasses Of beer on dUt."
But the good woman next time gave
birth to triplets, and that made him
"sphoke init his mout shust liddle,'
"Mein Gott, Katrinal vat ish de mat
ter on your Peter you shtop dis bizness,
fore der come more ash vill1ge full
got nuff mid such foolishness"
No later returns have been received.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

From latest official returns it appears
that there arc now twenty-seyeu vessels-
of-war being built for the British Navy.
Tie largest Of these are the Inaexible, of
IL, ,l65 tons, and the Fury, Of l0,95o tons
Both are turret ships Of 5000 horse-pow-
or, and are to be armed with only four
guns Of the largest size. Next 70 these
are the Superb. Of 9, 400 tons; 5000 horse
power and twelve guns, and the Tomer-
aire, Of s,4l5 tons, 1000 horsepower and
eight guns. The others range FROM gun
boats, Of which there are seven, 10 sever
al of about 1000 tons. Many Of these
vessels are nearly ready for launching.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

Numbers Of men who emigrated from
the West to the gold mines Of French
Guiana are returning home. They say
that the fields are one hunnred miles in
land, and to reach them one hundred and
fifty miles have to be travelled in row
boats padded by negroes, and after that
journey Of five or six days duration
through dense underground. Even the
gold, which is found in rotten quartz, IS
in from two to six feet Of black mud,
whence arises an efiuyia which no white
man can endure. The water Is 30 pois-
onous that the natives drink nothing but
wine. The expedition was a failure.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

The blood and thunder school of boy 8
literature has a recruit from the boys
themselves, Johnny Rice, Philadelphia
lad of fourteen, who, few days since,
left his fathers house behind him, and
likewise a letter to his father, in which
he announced that he had been writing
stories for a New York paper for some
six months, and now, as the author OF
"The Wharf Rats" he had transferred
his services to a rival sheet, which requir-
ed him to devote all his time to it, and
was going to New York to do so. He
explains: II would not leave home had
it not been for school, for | know you
would not let me leave school until was
through. l mean to go to college when
l am old enough and have enough mon-
ey. You now know the profession / pre-
fer without Mr. Jones feeling my bump
l prefer an authors profession"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

THE GREAT CLOCK OF ETERNIrY.-
A Washington lecturer, says that the
earth's orbit has been widening ont for
10000 years past, and will continue to
do so for 10000 years to come. 1t will
then begin to contract and will continue
to do so for $4,000. The eccentricity Of
Mercury has been steadily inci asing for
the last 100000 years, but has now nearly
attained its limit. In about 5000 years il
will begin to diminish, and will continue
to do 40 for more than 100000 years.
The orbits Of the planets must go on
oscillating in the manner as long as the
laws of nature remain unchanged, form
ing what a French writer has called
great clocks Of eternity, which beat
ages az ours beat seconds"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

In an editorial condemning the prac-
tice of carrying concealed weapons, the
Chattanooga Times says: "The carrying
of concealed weapons is one ofthe great
est curses Of the South. Our authorities
here-thanks TO the board of Aldermen
Of 1873 and Judge Hoyl-have pretty
effectually broken up the practice, so far
as this city and county are concerned
The effects Of this policy have been most
happy. Chattanooga, once as famous as
Knoxville is now for murderous rows
has become one Of the most quiet and
peaceable cities IN the country"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

With all that has been said about Mr..
Halstead, the editor of the Commercial,
he has escaped publicity in his domestic
relations; but heard tribute paid him
to-day, which is not improper to repeat.
''If I did not like Mr.. Halstead person
ally" was the remark, 81 should admire
and revere him for his tenderness and
devotion to his family. He lives in a
superb house on Fourth street, and it is
filed with the music of children's laugh
ter. Children he has, had almost said
by the dozen, and in their sports he takes
the youngest, merriest part. His office
is fully mile away, but if one of his
children is sick he is at home every houl
Of the day. He is the tenderest and
most indulgent husband and father il
all Cincinnati"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

The Rev. Henry Ward Beeeher makes
this sensible reply in the Christian Union
to a query as to whether il Is wicked to
dance: "It Is wicked when Il is wicked,
and not wicked when lti5 not wicked. In
itself it has no more moral character then
walking, wrestling or rowing. Bad com
pany, untimely hours, evil dances, may
make the exercise evili good company,
wholesome houra, and hOme influences,
may make it very great benefit"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

The poorest girls in the world are those
who have never been brought up to
work. Rich parents have petted them,
they have been taught TO despise labor,
and to depend upon others for living,
and are perfectly helpless. If misfortune
comes upon their friends, as il often
does, their case is hopeless. The most
forlorn, miserable women on earth be-
long to this class. 1t belongs to parents
to protect daughters from this deplorable
condition. They do them great wrong
if they neglect it. Every daughter
should be taught to earn her own living.
The rich as we'll as the poor require this
training. The wheel Of fortune rolls
swiftly round, the rich are very likely to
become poor, and the poor rich. Skilled
to labor is no disadvantage to rich, and
is indispensable to the poor. Well-to-dc
parents must educate their daughters tC
work; no reform is more imperative thar
| this.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

A handsome young gentleman walked
into the Adams Express Office the other
day and desired to xpress a package of
letters to lady, to whom he desired to
return them. "What are they worthS'
asked the clerk, who in making out hi~
account, desired to know what was the
risk. The young gentleman hesitated q
moment, then clearing his throat from a
certain huskiness, replied: "Well, I can't
say exactly, bnt q few weeks ago ]
thought they were worth about four
J hundred thousand dollars"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01
Oleomargarine.

For some time past an article has been
sold in the New York market as butter
which is nothing but . compound of an
imal fat, suet, milk, and oil. The Times
says: 1t is alleged that many reputable
dealers in butter have been induced to
purchase this vile article, and to sell it
to their customers as pure butter. Large
quantities Of the article have been sold
to the mill operatives in Paterson and to
the miners in Pennsylvania, and it has
been shipped to the West Indies, thus
destroying the character ofthe New York
market. The spectators in this COM
pound have already established manufac-
tories in this city, in Brooklyn New Jer-
sey, Hoboken, Newark and Boston, and
employ persons to collect grease and fat
from butchers shops and private dwell
ings. The matter has been brought un-
der the notice of the Butter and Cheese
Exchange, and the members have pledg-
ed themselves not to purchase the article
and to do all in their power so rid the
market of it. A subcommittee has been
appointed to examine into the question
fully, and to report the best means to be
adopted to prevent the introduction of
"oleomargarine," as the new butter is cal
led, into the market. The new article
can be manufactured for about fourteen
cents per pound, and it is disposed Of at
thirty cents, realizing handsome profit
| for the manufacturers
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

A BUFFALO street car conductor refssn
to permit female in "bloomer costume"
to ride ON his car, beliving her to be q
woman dressed in mans clothes. The
case was carried 20 Court, when the con-
ductor'e counsel stated that there was an
ordinance against female wearing a
mans dress, and thought that worn by
the woman came very near to 1t. The
Justice, however, held that the "bloom.
err" was female costume.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

A young man from the rural districts
asked friend at a ball-Pointins TO Ia
diea with low-neeked dresses; "Ia that
the fashion nowr" "Oh," replied the
friend, "those ladiea are rising into an
gels, aud angels. you know, donf wear
dresseo. but Il "a no uae Tor you to stand
w.,cbino for /, Isp,t probable they viii
rise entirely through, before 'he a"uoa
clo9Ra
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

An Iowa Granger thinks that there is
too much lawyer in our politics, and that
as o nation we have gradually given up
to the lawyer nearly every place Of hon.
or and trust.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-05-01

AvARrcE is said to be the only passion
which age dose not blunt.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-08
Nom-sscsidcnt Taxes,
In the town of Greenwood County Of oxford
" - 49, q "a l.. L.. liz var Is-.,

SiaIc of Milne for the year 1872.
The following list Of taxes on real estate OF non
resident owners i'm The town Of GREENWOOD Tor the
year lSsl Ia bills committed 10 DANIEL A'
COFFIN Collector Of taxes OF 'ald town on
the iih day of June 1873 has been Returned ny
him TO me M remaining unpaid On the 81 DAY
of June 1874 by hts certificate pi thN date shd
now remain unpaid and notice is hereby given that
IL the said taxes interest and charges are nos psid
into the treasury Of said town within eighteen
months n the date of the commitment OF SAID bills
much OF the real estate taxed viii BE- suthcient
To pay the amount due therefor Including interest
and charges will without further notice be sold al
public auction at
The Treasurers Once in said town on Saturday
the Goth day OF December leTi, mt one O'Clock In
the afternoon,
Non resident lands lying in the South half OF
Greenwood, formerly known by the name Of Mo
sier's and lIirden's Grant.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-08

In the town Of Albany County Of oxford and
State Of Maine for the year 1879.
The following let OF taxes On real estate Of non
rcrid. nj oWueTs In the town Of ALBANY tor the
wear 1873 10 bills committed 10 JUSTICE
AsPINwALL, collector Of taxes for said Town
on the 3Uth day OF June is.3 ha. been returned BY
hun 60 ss remaining u1paid on the 3Ush day
Of June lh7l by his certificate Of that daIs aud
remain unpaid and notice /. hereby given that
u the said taxes iaerest and charges are not paid
into the treasury Of .pid Town within eighteen
months from the date Of the commitment OF said
bills 80 much Of the real estate taxed as will b.
sufficient 10 pay the amount due therefor Including
Interest aud charges Viii without further notice b.
sold nc public auction at
The 1reasurcrs ONCE viz: his dwelling house
in said town on the lir,t Monday In February, A.
y. lss5, at one O'Clock IN the afternoon.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-08

The present area OF Bethel is 25.920
acres. Tho Audroscoggin runs Il miles
through the town. There are So miles OF
iuieryale on the Androscoggin and Iribn
taries- The farms are sill owned largely
by descendants of first settlers, and it is
rare that one OF them can be pun chased,
IAe population is 25O0. Every nun is
supposed to own a taIm. Three-ionyths
ct the people never saw II pauper. In
temperance is not frequent.
Six citizens Of Bethel have been in
Congress; one is now Governor; one a
Colonel in the army; three have been
College professors.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-09-08
Nou-xcsidcnf Taxes.

In the town of Newry County OF oxford and
State Of Maine for the year isi3.
The following let of taxes ON real estate OF non
resident owners in the town OF Newry FOR the
year les IN bill. committed 70 ELIJAH
POWERS collector OF taxes OF said town ON
the 18th day Of June ls.3 has been returned by
him 10 me remaining unpaid On the 2ist day
OF June 1874 by his certificate OF that date and
now remain unpaid; and notice is hereby given that
u -aid taxes, interest and charges are not paid
into the treasury Of said town within eighteen
months from the date OF the commitment OF said
bile much uf the real estate So taxed - viii be-
sufficient 90 pay the amount due therefor including
interest aud charges will without further notice be
sold al public auction at
The Office 81 the town treasurer, namely my
dwelling house 10 said town on the twenty-hnh
day 90 December 1874, ut two O'Clock Ia the ailer-
NOON.