davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
PulnIt Franks.

We are sometimes amused-that will
be better than to say anything severe
at the posture of some preachers. They
seem not to know what to do with their
legs. They were, doubtless, made to
stand on, to give the body firm and
commanding bearing, and impressive
dignity. They stand on one leg and
crook the other round it like a cork
screw, and keep up a perpetual twist
ing as if they were winding themselves
up. Then they shift and wind up the
other side, and it seems all the time as
II what they were saying was worked
below. OF course such an unnatural
and ungraceful posture as this de-
tracts very much from the effect of their
preaching, because it excites your SYM
path or something else unpleasant, for
they seem to be in pain all the time.
In this position every gesture is awk-
ward, for the hands are needed to sup
port the body. Then what part the
pocket-handkerchief plays with some
preachers. One spreads it lengthwise
in the Bible as if it were accessory or a
help to his sermon. He makes it kind
of Elisha's mantle with which to divide
the waters, to make a passage for his
ardent spirit, and he seems to rely on it
for that purpose. Another rolls it up
as a compact argument, and gripes it
and looks at it and talks to it, as much
AS to say, "Now I've got you" An
other makes it into ball, and seem
inaly hurls it at some stronghold he is
bent on demolishing; and still another
makes rams horn of it, not the little
horn which Professor Stearns so learn
edly describes, but such as Joshua used
against Jericho, only he puts it to his
nose when he blows the demolishing
blast. We cannot explain it, but there
are some things done by small men
that would excite mirthfulness, which
in large man would produce no such
effect. And we do not wonder, when a
very small man rose to preach as a
candidate in certain place, whose
head could scarcely be seen above the
pulpit, and gave out his text, 1t is I,
be not afraid" that the whole congrc-
cation were moved to laughter.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
A Chicago Hotel,

The following is translation of an
article in a Berlin paper, which will
convey an idea of the German estimates
of the coming American hotel: "The
latest American progress in building
will be the mammoth hotel, soon to be
erected in Chicago. This enormous
hotel is to have frontage of three Eng
lish miles long, and depth of six
miles the height of seventy-seven
stories will measure 3, 4S0 feet from the
ground floor to the roof. The hotel
will have no stairs, but 500 balloons
will always be ready to take visitors up
to their rooms. No 1oom-w walters are to
be employed, but visitors will be served
by a newly patented automatic, put up
in every bedroom, who will do all shay
ing, shampooing, etc., to the guests by
a very simple and ingenious mechanism.
Supposing the guest requires hot wa.
ter, the automatic will be able to call
down stairs "a bucket of water up to
room number one million three thou
sand one hundred and seven,' and the
water will be up in seven seconds by q
patented elevator. Half an hour be.
fore table d'hote, instead of the ringing
of bells, gun ga pounder) will be
fired on each floor to call the guests to
get ready for their meals. The tables
in the dining-rooms will measure
four miles each, attendance to be
performed by twelve walters on
horseback on either side of the
table. Music during table d'hote
will be played-gratis-by eight bands
of seventy five men each. For the con
venience of visitors a railroad will bt
built on each floor as we'll as telegraph
offices. The price for one bedroom viii
be from 81 to $40. The cost of thi
building is estimated to be $3.50, 600, 900
The billiard room will contain 500
American, 80 French, and l Englisl
table, and, most of the visitors expect
ed to be Americans, the billiard room
will be fitted out with spittoon of 10(
feet in circumference"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Interest on Friendship,

In 1850 a young man named Osborn,
who had recently arrived at the mines
from the East, penniless and friendless,
was taken sick. He told his condition
to fellow adventurer named Hitch
cock, who was q little better off, and
the latter promised to "see him
through" The promise was kept, and
when, after two months of illness, Os.
born arose from his bed, his friend
handed him $3.50 to bear his expenses
and to procure tools, saying to him,
"If ever you get able you can pay me
back, but do not worry yourself and in
jure your health in trying to make the
money too quick" One year and a
half from that time Osborn sent Hitch
cock 81, $50, with the following note :
"I'll pay interest on friendship" His
'labors proved remunerative, and by
1873 he was worth $350,000. While in
San Francisco he met and recognized
his old friend. When they parted,
after several days companionship,
Osborn gave Hitchcock sealed pack
age, with the injunction that it was not
to be opened until he was on the cars.
There Hitchcock found that it con-
tanned a deed for one-sixth of a rich
silver mine, with small note contain
ing the words "Interest on friend
ship" Hitchcock has sold his interest
for $50, 900.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
WaterSpOuts,

When a whirlwind occurs out at sea,
it agitates the waters contained within
it's diameter to such a degree as fire.
quently to cause column of spray to
rise in the air. If the sky is cloudy,
the upper strata of the whirlwind acts
upon the lower clouds in the same man
ner in which the lower strata acts upon
the surface of the water, and thus
causes q column of vapor to descend
Immediately above the ascending one.
These two columns will, if the whirling
motion of the air continues for any
considerable period, become length
ened by the pressure of the atmos-
phere, and will ultimately join to-
gether. What are termed waterspouts
in island districts are quite distinct
phenomena. They are simply very
heavy showers of rain confined within
narrow limits. These showers may or
may not be accompanied with a whirl-
wind motion of the atmosphere, but
will, of course, come nearer our idea
of what waterspout may be when it is
so accompanied.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Keeping Smoked Meats In Summer.

There are various plans and devices
for keeping smoked meats for summer
use from the attacks of flies and beetles
which infect hams, smoked beef, etc, If
left where they may have access to them.
Among the more common is wrapping
each piece separately in strong brown
paper and then packing in barrels filled
in, about the packages, with ashes or
other absorbent material.
Another plan is to place the pieces in
sacks we'll surrounded with cut hay, or
in tight barrels, with cut hay or straw
closely pressed around the pieces. By
this latter plan, however, the meat is
apt to mold. To prevent this, it should
not be entirely excluded from the air,
and where air and light can enter in
sects are apt to follow. A better plan
when the trouble and expense is not
grudged is to wrap each piece separate
ly in paper and inclose in sacks cut to
fit. Sew them up and dip in thick
lime-wash, and hang in an airy but cool
place. Some, indeed, claim that meat
may be kept perfectly and indefinitely
by simply rubbing the surface with
pepper before smoking, but it is almost
no protection at all.
The best, and in the end cheapest,
way to preserve meat is to have q smoke
house built in such manner that,
while it is tight and dark, it shall at
the same time, be we'll ventilated. All
that is necessary to secure this is a
chimney on top protected by blinds so
that the rays of light cannot enter,
while at the bottom is tube connect
ed with the outer air. In such smoke
house you may keep meat indefinitely
by occasionally causing smoke during
summer If the meat has been proper
ly cured, it will keep sweet. If the in
sects cannot get access to the place
where it is kept, they cannot lay their
eggs therein and consequently there
cannot be either shippers or beetles or
their larvae.
The smoke-house may be used for
variety of purposes when not filed with
meat. The first four feet should always
be built of brick, both as protection
against fire and as affording most con-
venient receptacle for ashes, in all dis
tricts where wood is burned for fuel.
If our readers have no permanent
smoke e-houseyet build in whichIto keep
their meat, we advise them to built one
without delay. Where farmers depend
SO much, as they necessarily must in
the country in summer, on preserved
meats, they should have proper place
to keep it safe from insect enemies.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Items of Interest,

Fee simple-Giving waiter ten cents
and expecting to have a good dinner.
The elephant is said to be dying out.
Perhaps that's the reason why so many
insist on seeing him on every OCCASION
The Cincinnati Gazette is curious to
know what the brewers of that city do
with the tobacco stems they purchase.
The Cuban planters are arriving. at
the conclusion that growing Pineapples
and bananas for the American market
pays better than tobacco and coffee.
A Californian who ties one end of
rope around his waist and lassoes COW
with the other can generally tell, at the
end of the first half mile, whether he's
got the COW or the cows got him.
No recommendation Par
ty-"There's a view now ! Magnificent /!
Surely you'll admit that deserves
praise |" Practical Self-made man.
&c Well, don't know. It has made no
effort to deserve it-didn't make itself +
A teacher, who, in fit of vexation,
called her pupils set of young adders,
upon being reproved for her language,
apologized by saying that she was
speaking to those just commencing
their arithmetic.
The Chicago Times thinks the base
ball club of that city can best serve
Chicago by quitting their perambula-
tions about the country, and taking
positions as hod-carriers.
The number of pilgrims who visited
the tomb of Mahomet at Mecca this
year is said to have been 10000, and
owing to the precautions adopted by
the Egyptian Government, their health
has been unusually good.
According to a local journal, the
rattlesnakes in the knobs OF Lincoln
county, KY, have formed corner
in water, and the supply of some fami-
lies is cut off. They gather in large
numbers around the springs, and suffer
no one to approach.
The famous, and at the time popular,
hotel, tke Danforth House, Pithole
City, Pa, which cost $2S, 900, was sold
few days ago for $40 note and the
furniture, which cost $1,000, brought
less than 800. Six months after the
city was founded it had seventy-four
hotels and boarding. houses, and fifteen
thousand inhabitants. Now only nine
families remain.
Years ago an old man and his daugh-
ter Diana started to cross marsh IN
Lake Charles parish, Louisiana. They
were never afterward heard from. A
short timo since hunters dogs started
wild animal in the marsh, and the
huntsman was about to shoot, when he
saw that it was girl, nude and wild.
He reported his discovery, was told the
story of Diana, and acting on the idea
will endeavor to get glimpse Of her
again.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
A Thrilling Situation.

The following story, which is given
as fact, can hardly be surpassed even
by the imaginary situations that mark
many specimens of the modern drama :
Near the city of Detroit, man by the
name of Macarthur was crossing the
railroad track in the night time, when
his foot caught fast in frog" and
his efforts to extricate it were of no
avail. His boot fitted so closely that
he could not draw his foot out, and at
length he could hardly move his leg
from pain. He found that he must
either be run over by the next train or
make known his situation. He shouted
himself hoarse, but no one came. After
having been prisoner for upward of an
hour he heard the whistle. He had
matchbox in his pocket, papers in his
bundle, and the idea came to him to
signal the train. Tearing the paper off
his bundle, and getting at some letters,
he rolled them into heap, and for fear
that the flames would die out too sud
denly he added his clothes. The bun
die was then made fast to the end of his
walking stick, and he waited until the
headlight of the locomotive should ap-
pear. 1t finally greeted his vision and
he struck his match, but a gust of wind
blew it out. Another match was struck,
and in an instant he waved his signal
back and forth, and just when he
thought death was certain he heard the
whistle for brakes. He was saved, but
the engine had only thirty feet more to
go to crush HIM.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Ben Spinner's Vacation;

If there is a thing which at first 1
thought I would be glad of and am
now dreadful sorry for, it is because
school is out for keeps till the next
term. 1t is most unusually the way
that when school don't keep there is
plenty of work studied up for me to
have to do. That's the way it fits me
every time. It's my kind of bad luck
to be raised to have industrious ways.
Ny father is everlastingly telling me
that idleness is the parents of vice or
some of that sort of disagreeable Eng
lish language that don't want to lear,
and that must keep busy at work
at something and not CAD about
with other indolent boys and race the
streets from morning till night per.
petual. Last vacation they put me into
the garden, where, they said, 1 could
obtain some habits which would do me
some good when I became grown up
into useful citizen. Well, to have to
be a useful citizen is all very fine silk,
but if / could only have my own way
only just once I would rather sell pea
nuts on the railroad. But they have
got me in the same hardships which L
was into last summer, only it is rougher
because there is more of it. If they
think it's proper for me to have to bug
the potatoes, and weed the onions, and
thin out the roobarb, and raise up lot
of garden trash for to go to seed and
waste, why, then, I suppose its all right
if 1 could only see it, but when boy
has studied diligently all winter don't t
think it's exac'ly the fair thing to keep
him too tenacious at work IN vacation.
Anyhow, that's my opinion, which I
throw in. There amt very great deal
of real pleasure in digging potatoes
where the bugs is about a barrel full to
the acre, and when boy has to bend
his back down to try to pull up weeds
which grow clean through and clinch on
the other side, it's kind of miserable
occupation which L would like to got
half a good chance for to slip out Of.
To have to wade into the garden early
in the morning when the dew is on in
your bare feet, and get smart weed up
your trousers leg, is worse thing than
the Erie Spills and the fever and ague;
but when you have to do it there is no
use for to try to shirk out. I went back
on the job once, but 1 never went back
on it twice, because once was enough.
1 was roped in and coaxed by some
boys to go off on the commons to play
ball for whole day. Late in the even
ing, when 1 came in home the back way,
and desperate hungry, the governor
gave me an abundance of stars and
stripes, which I have got them yet, and
could show 'em if was only i'll swim
ming. I found out that it is a bad
habit for boy to get into, to leave his
work without permission, and it's the
best way always for to obey orders if il
almost breaks your back. But I have
got awful sick of this vacation business,
and if I can find school next yeal
which will keep in the year round, it'f
the one that I want to go to. That's
what kind of boy I am.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16

1t was useless to assert that the dam
ages were too high, for had they not
fixed them themselves ? Itwas useless
to plead that Miss Letitia was in q
manner responsible for what had hap
pened, on account of the open gate, for
had they not assured her that circum-
stance did not affect the case ? It was
useless to say that she had no right to
keep the cows in custody, for had they
not counseled her to do so? As to
going to law about it, would they not
thus become the sport of the whole
town?
"' He that diggeth pit, he himself
shall fall into it," said Miss Letitia,
who read what was passing in their
minds as well as if they had spoken, for
the light of Isaac's lantern fell full on
their faces. "However, I don't wish
to be hard upon you, and on one con-
dition will free the COWS and forgive
you the debt"
"What is that ?" Both looked the
question, but did not ask it.
"The condition is that you promise
to put good new fence in place of the
old one that separates your estates,
dividing the costs between you, and
that henceforth you will live peaceable
together as far as in you lies. Do you
promise?"
eyes" muttered both, in a voice
scarcely audible.
"Shake hands upon it, then," said
Miss Letitia.
They did so.
"Now let the cows out, Isaac it's
time they were milked," said she. And
the two men went away driving their
animals before them, with shame
faced air greatly in contrast to the look
of triumph with which they had last
quilted her presence.
The fence was built, and the strife
ceased when the cause was removed,
but it was long before Miss Letitia's
part of the affair came to the public ear
for she herself maintained strict 81.
lence concerning it, and enioined the
same upon her man-servant Isaac
Youths COMPANION.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
A Strong Witness.

Some years ago law suit occurred
out West, growing out of the destruc-
tion of quantity of growing corn, be-
longing to a Mr.. Wilson, by hogs
owned by a Mr.. Brown. The latter
owned eight hogs, and Wilson declared
that they were all in his field, and that,
consequently, the havoc was immense.
Brown protested that he didn't believe
any of his hogs were in Wilson's field,
but if any at all, certainly not more
than one or two, and therefore the
damages could not have been SO great
as represented.
Wilson had q witness on his side
named Jerry Parker, not a very bright
young man, but noted for having a
wonderful imagination. He came in
late, and had not very distinct idea
as to how the case stood, but he had q
very vague notion that it was for Will
sons interest to make the number OF
hogs appear as large as possible.
When he took the witness-staud he
was questioned by Wilson's lawyer, who
asked.
"Jerry, did you see the hogs in Mr..
Wilson's corn-feld, on the day in
question ?"
"Yes, sir 1 did" replied Jerry.
"Do you know exactly how many
there were ?"
"No, I didn't count 'em /; but I'll
take my oath there warn't less thar
thirty r.
The CONSERVATION of Wilson and hil
lawyer, at this unexpected reply, ma.
be imagined /; and it was not lessene
when Browns lawyer arose and said
"Your honor, as my client has onl,
eight hogs, it is very evident that thos
which destroyed Mr.. Wilson's corn be
longed to some one else, and / asl
Judgment for the defendant.
The court granted this request, an,
poor Wilson, by having toe strong
witness, lost the case,
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
ScOlding.

Scolding is a habit very easily
formed. 1t is astonishing how soon
one who INDUCES in it at all becomes
addicted to it, and confirmed in it. 1t
is an unreasonable habit. Persons who
once get in the way of scolding always
find something to scold about. If there
were nothing else, they would fall a
scolding, at the mere absence of any
thing to scold at. 1t is an extremely
disagreeable habit. The constant
rumbling of distant thunder, cater
wauling, or a hand-organ under ones
window, would be less unpleasant.
The habit is contagious. Once intro
duced into family, it is pretty certain
in a short time, to affect all the mem
bers. If one of them begins finding
fault about something or nothing, the
others are apt very soon to take it up,
and very unnecessary beaiam is
created,
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Au Sable ChaSm.

The following stories connected with
the glen are well authenticated Until
q few years ago bridge spanned the
Chasm at the point where it is narrow
est. This bridge was suffered to decay,
and was finally disused. There re-
mained of it at last only single
squared girder. Over this mad-cap
boy would sometimes venture, for a
freak, but mona was known to cross by
it except such as were possessed OF the
insanity of youth. One dark night
clergyman on horseback approached it.
He had been absent abroad for several
years. When he had been familiar
with this section of country, the Au
Sable Bridge was the usual avenue OF
approach to his home. He knew moth
ing of its subsequent ruin. Upon
drawing near it in the darkness he con-
fidently spurred his horse onward.
When the horses hoofs struck the sim
gle beam which remained of the bridge,
the rider sought to penetrate the dark
ness, but could not. Dropping the
relns upon the neck of his brave steed,
he abandoned his thoughts to reverie.
He was passing over the wild gorge OF
the Au Sable, with which he had been
acquainted in youth and early man
hood, and where he had indulged in
many perilous adventure, long before
the Chasm had been prepared by art
for the easy access of the timorous visl-
tor. How many changes he might find
upon his return-old faces buried, old
landmarks removed, old houses fallen
into decay. Before he had concluded
this waking dream the hoofs of his
trusty animal no longer echoed upon
the bridge, but struck-the SOLID
ground upon the other side. He was
safely over, without an intimation that
he had risked the smallest danger.
Not until he had reached his home,
and was told by what route he had
come, did he learn of his tremendous
peril. The next morning, when he
reviewed, by the light OF day, the
threadlike pathway over which he had
gone, his knees smote together, and he
uttered a prayer of thanksgiving for
deliverance from horrible death.
A good -for-nothing character IN the
neighborhood was once caught in the
act of theft, near the bridge just de
scribed, in the days when it was the
usual avenue of travel. 1t having beer
playfully suggested by some one tina
his morals might be improved by sus
pending him by the heels for brie
season from the bridge over Au Sable
Chasm, the punishment was instantly
inflicted. The cure proved effectual
but the thief's morals were reformed a
the expense of his intellect, for he be
came confirmed, though inoffensiv
| idiot
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
In Prison..

Young Walworth, who is now in the
Auburn prison, is of no use to the con-
tractors. He has developed epileptic
symptoms and is employed in the hos
pital to wait on patients. Ingersoll, the
Tammany Ring swindler, has from the
first been a well-behaved, tractable and
willing prisoner. He is employed in a
shop where rush horse collars are made.
At first he was assigned the ordinary
tasks, but the contractor soon found
that he was more valuable as an over
seer or general clerk, and he now fills
that position in the shop, though he is
required to march and eat with his
gang, and occupies cell at night the
same % ell prisoners.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-07-16
Human Testimony.

Within few months, says the Boston
Traveller, paper purporting to be
mortgage of personal property was
handed prominent legal gentleman on
the witness stand in the Supreme
Court, and he, under oath, stated that
he saw the person sign the paper, and
that his name was attached as witness
in his handwriting. He was closely
pressed by the opposing counsel to
carefully examine and see if he did see
the person sign it, and specially if his
(the witness's) name was written there
on by himself. He examined and re-
piled to both in the affirmative. 1t
afterwards appeared, in uncontradicted
evidence, that the paper submitted was
a copy Of the original mortgage fur.
nished by the City Clerk,