davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
A Birds Charity.

Last summer a pair Of robin red
breasts built their nests in the vicinity
Of a fashionable country boarding house.
In due time the heads Of four young
robins we're observed by some of the
boarders peering above the sides Of the
nest, when some thoughtless boys pass
ing that way shot both the parent birds
and left the young ones to perish.
The ladiss and gentlemen, moved to
pity by the hapless condition Of the poor
birds, were devising plans for their re.
lief, when little brown wren few 10
the nest, surveyed the unfortunate state
Of things for moment, then disappear.
ed. In few minutes il returned, bear
ing food Of some kind for the starving
robins
Much surprised at this, the human
sympathizsrs resolved to await further
developments before proceeding to put
their plans Of relief into operation, and
were delighted 10 find the wren had in
real good earnest assumed the care Of
that orphan family. With untiring en-
ergy il hunted worms and food OF such
kirds as was suited TO the wants and
tastes Of its proteees, and continued its
kindly Offices until the robins were full
heged AID able TO take care of them
selves.
Strange aa this story may appear, we
have IL from the most undoubted author
ity, and submit the question whether
reason or instinct was the governing
power with that kind-hearted, motherly
little wrsn?-L Philadelphia Star
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
Which is the Greater Brute!

A few days ago one of the horses at
tached to car on Market Street, in
starting the car, slipped and fell on his
knees, but instantly recovered himself
and drew the car. The driver, however.
did not behave 80 sensibly. His coun-
tenance took on the angriest scowl possi-
BILE. The horse had committed a great
crime. His shoes were smooth, and the
wet planks were slippery, and for this
the poor horse was clearly blamable.
Luckily for him, the biped happened
not to have the whip in his hand. He
contented himself with comforting his
face, swearing gently, aud jerking the
reins violently several times. So the
horse in the future must keep his shoes
rough and the planks dry.
How cften we see men abusing their
horses for little mishaps, when they
themselves are perhaps the causel-
What would such driver think, il he
should slip down on sidewalk by tread
ing on an orange skin, or some such
thing, and policeman were to kick
and cuff him for falling.-[Animal's
Friend,
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
An AutOmatOn MAN.

The attention of the medical profess
sion in France has recently been called
to very remarkable case. A young
man, during the late German war receiv-
ed gurshot wound by which a portion
of the right parietal bone was carried
away to the extent Of nearly three inches.
A paralysis of the right side was the
consequence of this wound. By degrees,
however, the paralysis disappeared, and
the use of the limbs were restored, but
the mind remained singularIy affected.
The man was by profession public sim
ger. He has, since his restoration from
bodily paralysis, been subject to fits, or
crises, lasting twenty to forty eight
hours, during which his condition pre-
sents some extraordinary phenomena
He seems, in fine, to be a veritable au-
tomaton. He walks continually, num-
bling without cessation, and appearing
to be wholly unconscious Of persons or OBJ
jects by which he is surrounded. He walks
straightforward, never speaking a word
When he encounters any obstacle, he
stops, feels it with his hands, and seeks
way of avoiding or going around it,
without giving the least sign of intellI-
gence, as if he were in a state of somnam-
bulism. He is absolutely without feel
ing Pins may be stuck into his flesh
without producing the slightest
sensation, and violent electrical shocks
fail to move him in the least degree
This state is not, however, that of entire
Inconsistencies. as is shown by the re-
markable fact that if pen is put into
his hand he Immediately seeks for ink
and paper, and upon obtaining them,
writes letter, in which he speaks cor
rectly and intelligently of various mat
ters which concern him. So, also, If
piece of cigarette paper is placed in
his hand, he Immediately takes tobacco
from his pocket, rolls a cigarette, lights
it with a match from his box, and smokes
it. If one extinguishes the match be-
fore it reaches the cigarette, he takes
another from his pocket, and lights it as
before, refusing absolutely to take one
which may be offered him already light
ed. He will allow his moustache to be
burned without appearing to notice it,
but will not take lighted match which
may be offered him. If chopped lint be
substituted for the tobacco contained in
his pouch, he makes his cigarette of it,
and smokes it without appearing TO no.
tice the difference of taste. Among the
experiments of DIR. Mesnet upon this
singular subject is one that is particular
ly curious. He places in the hands of
the man who, as has been said, had been
public singer, pair of kid gloves.
The man Immediately puts them on,
and seeks his sheet of music, upon which
he assumes the attitude Of public per-
former, and begins to sing. When the
crisis is past be becomes perfectly rea-
sonable, but has not the slightest recol-
lection of what has occurred. The case
presents an interesting subject of inves-
tigation for physicians and psychologists.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
Standing Armies.

Five million men are under arms in
Europe. These five million incl ude the
very flower of the population, those
least liable to death under the natural
and normal conditions of life; and it is
proved, proved beyond doubt by army
physicians, that IN our military hospit-
ais, as, for instance, in that of the Val
de Grace at Paris, that the mortality Of
soldiers is double and treble that of the
remainder Of the population in civil life
How much of valuable labor does this
system take away from the workshop,
the hearth, and the family? And during
this time what becomes Of the 5000, 900
women who ought 10 be the companions
of these men, and Of the families which
should be the fruit of their marriages?
When throughout the surface of the
civilized world, we see every year the
return OF spring, and renovated life
everywhere, then also, at the sound Of
the drum, and at the summons Of the
trumpet, the Young men, our laboring
youth, are called TO present themselves,
in each district, before the representa-
tives of the central authority Of country.
They come In parties with ribbons in
their hats. These young men are but
food for cannon, and those representa-
tives of authority are only ordered to
judge of the quality Of the supply. And
when they have them ranged liked beaats
for sale, they compel them to take of
the garments which protect their nodes
ty, and TO do violence to their feelings
Of shame. They make them naked in
each others presence, like brutes. Then
they exr mine them. they handle them,
they turn them round, they open their
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
"Making Money"

Gay" writing TO the Louisville Cour-
ier. Journal of how money is made at
the Treasury Department, says: Take a
one dollar treasury note and look at it.
There is fine steel engraving of Wash
ington-the man, not the city, in the
middle of the note. In the left hand
corner there is "The Landing of Colum-
bus" There is fine lace-work for the
denomination, and the note has a lace
work border. Dinerent artisans make
these designs. 1t is not all tie work Of
one engraver. for each one has his spe-
cialty. No engraver can make two
plates exactly alike, no more than the
same man can paint two potraits so alike
but what there will be some little shade
or line in one that does not exist in the
other. So, after the engravers make de-
signs for the notes and the Secretary has
accepted the design, the plate being of
hard metal is subjected to cylinder of
solid steel, the metal which is softer than
the plate. The cylinder is laid on the
plate and subjected to a pressure of from
one to twenty tons. AS the plate is de-
pressed so are figures and characters
raised on the cylinder, which then under
goes a hardening process, and the plates
for the notes are taken from the cylin-
der. From these all our notes are prin-
ted. By this process every note printed
is exactly alike and counterfeits can be
easily detected. These plates and cylin-
ders can be used constantly for three
months, when the plates are retouched
by skillful workmen, who have an apart
ment especially devoted to their branch
of work. In this room there are many
beautiful specimens of fine steel engrav-
ings, for our country took the prize at
Vienna for such work
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
NUMBER so

months as if they were horses or dogs,
in order to see their teeth, and finally
they draw them up in two focks like
the sheep and goats in the gospel parable.
On the one side are the robust, the hand
some, the agile, those whose hands are
clever in the use of tools, and whose
vigorous blood is fitted to multiply up
on earth healthy and strong race; and
on the other side are the weak, the lame,
the deaf, the oDe-eyed, all those who
may be considered as the ones to be
eliminated, (if it we're permitted to use
the term in speaking of the sacred sub
ject Of hnman nature.l
And all this accomplished, then the
public authorities as,ume a gave coun-
tenance, and pronounce those youths,
whom they have so carefully selected,
as the best to be found good for slaugh.
ter" g. Bon your Douche5ie'') Yes, good
for the slaughter of the battlefield. and
for the deadly Generalization Of the
barracks.
And then they say to the others, TO
those whom they do not deem fit for
the buttlet or for ther bayonet thrust,
" You are good enough for marriage, ank
for labor!" Alasl that such things
should be done in this nineteenth cen
tury, and amongst the greatest nations
in the world. amongst Europeans call
ing themselves civilized and christian!
These things show the reason why the
population Of France is not increasing.
or, at laest, whyEit increases so slowly.
And yet we wonder at the misery and
degradation of our populace, at their
sufferings, and their vices.-[ Speech by
NJ. Passy, of Paris.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
A New Grass.

After General Sherman made his
march to the sea, all in the wide tract of
waste and desolation that he made with
the tramp of his footmen and the iron
feet of his cavalry, there sprung up a
new and unknown grass from the soil,
which the farmers cal g d SHERMAN elo-
ver." 1t would grow up in the most
unexpected places. and it is said would
root out Bermuda grass; and, as a
strange similarity, we now hear that af-
ter the Franco-Purssian war of 1901,
in many districts Of France new vegeta-
tion sprang up, evidently the result Of
the invasion. II was believed that this
vegetation would become acclimatized
but very few Of the species introduced
in this way appear likely to continue tc
flourish.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
A Legal Wag.


Judson T. Mills, of South Carolina,
was Judge of District Court in North
ern Texas, fond of joke, but was very
decided in the discharge of his duty.
Thos. Fannin Smith was practising
lawyer at the bar, and having shame
fully misstated the law in his address to
the jury, turned to the Court, and ask
ed the Judge to charge the jury accor-
dinghy. The Judge was indignant, and
replied:
"Does the counsel take the Court to
be fool?"
Smith was not abashed by this re-
proof, but instantly responded:
81 trust your Honor will not insist on
an answer to that question, as I might,
in answering it truly, be considered
guilty of contempt of Court"
"Fine the counsel ten dollars, Mr..
Clerk" said the Judge.
Smith Immediately paid the money,
and remarked, at was ten dollars more
than the Court could show"
Fine the counsel fifty dollars" said
the Judge.
The fine was entered by the Clerk
and Smith, not being able to respond in
that sum, sat down.
The next morning, on the opening oi
Court, Smith rose, and, with much de-
ference of manner began:
"May it please your Honor, the Clerk
took that little joke of yours yesterday
about the fifty dollars as serious, as ]
preceive from the reading of the min
utes. Will your Honor be pleased to in
form HIM Of his error, and have it eras.
ed"
The coolness of the request and the
implied apology pleased the Judge, and
he remitted the fine.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
Helping a Convict.

Many convict, after getting out oil
prison, would lead a respectable life II
he could only begin we'll. But people
are afraid Of him, and won't trust him
or give him employment, and so he falls
into roguery again to make out living.
The late Henry Raymond, of the New
York Times, made a convict honest by
lending him ten dollars:
One day, while busy in his room,
there appeared to him man, saying
as this Mr.. Raymond?"
Being assured of this, he continued,-
"Can ! speak to you few moments,
sir?'
The Ms. was showed aside.
81 have jus. come from Sing Sing"
hesitated the man.
Not from the prison, / hope said
the editor, by the way Of putting the
caller at ease with a joke.
Yes, sir" said the visitor, 81 got n, =
discharge few days ago"
"Weli, my man." said Raymond, 81
hope you were innocent"
mo, sir" replied the convict, 81 was
guilty. You see, sir, I am an engineer
and machinist by trade. wanted
to lead an honest life, and when got a
place. and at work all very well. some
friend came along and told my boss that
| was prison-bird, and I had to be out
of that. Then ] got another place and
got well to work, and the same thing
happened there. Now am looking for
another job, and am going to begin BY
telling what ] am, and when get any
thing to do / shan't lose il In the same
way"
GLOW much is it, my mann" said Mr..
Raymond
"Well, sir, b" replied the man, 81 haven't
got the price of a dinner about me. now.
and | don't know where / am 10 sleep
tonight. | think if had ten dollars ]
could get on until somebody would take
me for what | am worth. and give me
some honest work TO do. don't want
to go down bill, sir"
The ten dollars closed the convcrs =
tion on the instant. Perhaps a year Of
terward; Mr.. Raymond was at fair Of
the American Institute, and while look
ing at some machinery on exhibition, a
decent man in charge of it approached
him and said,-
" Is this Mr.. Raymond?"
"Yes," he replied, "but don't re.
member you."
Don't you remember the man from
Sing sing?"
" Nc" 3" laid Raymond, al don't remcm-
Der any man from Sing Sing?"
"Why," said the man from Sing Sing.
don't you recollect?" And then he re.
hearsed the story here set down. and said
he had subsisted ON Mr. Raymonds's
loan until he found employment IN his
own line, with n good man, who knew
his story, and was well pleased with
him, giving him good wages and steady
work in place Of honorable trust and
responsibility. Taking bank-note
from his pocket, the engineer repaid
the borrowed money, saying that he had
carried it for some months without find
ing an opportunity to leave his work
and come to town for the purposeE
Its a good ten dollars, Mr.. Ray
mond, for it's just the cost Of saving me
from ruin"
When he told the story afterward, Mr..
Raymond thought it was cheap, and
said he had charged all his other loans
to the account of the engineer, and bal
anced il.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
The Spare Bed.

When go 70 the country TO visit my
relatives, writes NJ. Quad, the spare bed
rises up before my imagination days be.
fore start, and / shiver as I remember
how cold and gravelike the sheets are.
put off the visit as long as possible, sole
ly on account Of that spare bed. don't
like to tell them that had rather sleep
on picket fence than to enter that spare
room and creep into that spare bed, and
so they know nothing Of my suferings.
The spare bed is always az near
mile and half from the rest Of the beds
as it can be put. II is either upstairs al
the head Of the hall, or off the parlor.
The parlor curtains have not been raised
for weeks; everything is as prim as an
old maids bonnet, and the bed il az
square and true as If it had been made up
to carpenters rule.
No matter whether it be summer or
winter, the bed is like ice. and il sinks
down in way to make one shiver. The
sheets are slippery clean, the pillow
slips rustic like shrouds, and one dare
not stretch his legs down for fear Of
kicking against tombstone.
One sinks down until ne Is lost in the
hollow, and foot by foot the prim bed
posts vanish from sight. lie is worn
ont and sleepy. bat be knows that tho
rest Of the family arc SO Gag away taal
no one could hear him +, hc shaald
shout for an hour, and thi- makcs him
nervous. lie wonders il anyone ever
died in that room, and straightwav he
secs faces Of dead persons, hears strange
noises, and presently feels a chill gallop-
ing mp and down his back.
Did anyone ever pass comfortable
night in spare bed2 No matter how
many quilts and spreads covered him he
eoHld not get warm, and if he acciden-
tally fell asleep it was to wake with a
start under the impression that dead
man was pulling his nose. Ii will be
days and weeks before he recovers from
the impression, and yet he must suffer
in silence, because the spare bed was as
signed him in token Of esteem and az
fection.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26

Shellcross, who resides near Middle
town, Delaware, owns the largest peach
orchard in the world. Last year he
shipped to New York 125 900 baskets OF
fruit, and il il estimated that he lost by
being unable to procure labor to pick,
25,00O baskets more. On several dave
he loaded from his orchard ten car loads.
Mr.. Shellcross' orchard reaches along
the public highway for more than eight
miles-Renerally on either side, and Gov
ers an extent Of upwards Of 900 acres.
on which are grown more than 100, 600
trees. The land on which Mr.. Shell
cross'- trees are planted is worth $3.50.
O00.-Ohio Farmer.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26

The Mexicans have projected a Pa
ciic railroad which is TO have a branch
connecting it with the international
railroad of Texas, and through that with
the railroad system Of the United
States. The international railroad ex-
tends from Houston to RockdaIe. The
line from Rockdale will he through
Austin City and San Antonia to Laredo.
on the Rio Grande, and thence to Leon.
town in Mexico, 2s0 miles from the
City'of Mexico, and on the line Of the
projected railroad to the Pacific. There
is a railroad now in working order from
Vera Cruz to the City Of fMexico. With
in three months after the completion Of
the road from the latter place to Leon,
the building Of the branch road TO Aus
tin, Texas, is to be begun at both ends,
and to be completed in six years.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26

The North Carolina Legislature, in
expelling Mr.. ThOrne for alleged aiho-
ism, has set n precedent which is not
likely 20 be followed in other states
The survival Of the belief in Mumbo-
Jumbo among many Of the North Caro-
lima Legislators il quite marked. since
the man they refuse TO Asaocite with be-
cause Of his belief was no atheist, but a
Quaker, who expressly told them that
he believed in lone living and true
God; everlasting, without body. or
parts, or passions; the maker ~ nli
things visible and invisible" A. this
confession Of faith wna unaaiisfactory.
il IL evident that the God believed in
by the North Carolina Legislators is
some other aort of beInF-Romc f.tich
whose attributes their African ancestors
never formulated with much care or in
very attractive w0rda. II the example
thus set should be followed in the more
civilized portions of the Union. i4eris-
latnreE could not convene, aR Il would be
almost impossible t0 find in an onlight-
ened community men who. believing Do
God. could state their faith IN terms
very different from those used by Mr.
ThOrne. II Il a pity that any Legisla-
ture could he brought 10 uiuiifY itself
bv such action no this, which elects from
his scat a good, competent and conaeien-
tions man not politically disqualified 90
hold n.-rN. Y. Graphic,
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-03-26
Tweed's Treatment.

The medical commission appointed by
the new Commissioner of Charities 10
examine Mr. Tweed and his apartments
report that Mr. Tweed was hardly able
to move around in one Of the ordinary
cells, the space between the bed and the
wall, by actual measurement. being
found 20 be but two inches more thnd
his body. The ordinary cell bed would
hardly contain his huge body, and it
would be real torture 20 obliea him TO
sleep in IL. To conine him 70 such nc-
they considered ~ con
demnIng him 20 certain and speedy
death. and this, too, if he had bcen pos
Sc sed Of ordinary good health, They
also found the convict really In ~
health, and they recommend that be he
retained in the position formerly assign
ed him Of hospital orderly, a. best A.
fording the exercise and air he needs
IN. y. Correspondent Springfield Re.
publican.
The New York herald., 1875-12-30
TREs PUBLIC WORKS.

EXPIRATION or GENERAL PoRTERs TERM OF
oFFIcE-wHo WILL BE HIS SUCCESSOR?
Commissioner Fitz John Pcrter's term of office as
Commissioner of Public Works expired yesterday For
past the democratic and republican politi-
Clans as well have been considerably exercised
rumor which gained considerable credence few days
ago that the Mayor had decided to appoint republican
TO the Office, with the aid OF the republican Aldermen
and the necessary number OF the democratic members
to make confirmation OF his a certainty 1t is
almost needless TO state that there at any
time any foundation for the rumor Just who the
coming man is is as yet mystery, the Mayor yes
terday refused in the most positive manner TO state
whether he had as yet made up his mind whom he
would appoint The Board of Aldermen meet to-day
and it is possible that the Mayor may send in the name
General Portcrs successor but though il is possible
IT is highly improbable. He has under the charter
ten days from the date OF the expiration
matter, and the new Common Council will
meet on Monday next, no nomination will probably be
legion, the more promihent being Sidney r Nichols
who defeated in the tacce for Senator the Fifth
district last month; ex-Sehatos John Fox James DAILY
Arthur Leary and George Forrest. Some OF the DEM
ocrats believe that John r. Agnew will be appointed
The new Board of Aldermen stands hfteen democrats
TO republicans, and II Will thus be that IL
the Mayor desired TO appoints republican he would re-
quire five democratic votes to make the support of the
seven republican members OF any use This TACT of it.
self is sufficient show that the nomination of a
republican to the position altogether OF the ques
ton Still 1t may be stated, becatHc II was yesterday
one of the rumors OF the day tho quarters where
local politicians most do congregate that a
strong effort is being made by some of the
Custom House politicians to secure the
pledge Of some of the democrats in the Board to
the support Of a moderate republican in for
favors TO be granted at Police Headquarters in the
future. Until the Aldermen meet to-day, however,
nothing definite can be stated to what really on
the tapis, and probably even then everything will be
as great mystery as before as If no nomnation is
sent into the Board to-day, the politicians viii gem
orally be kent in the dark about tho Mayors inten-
tons until New Years Day, when the new Board come
into power.