davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
A Journalists Duel.

There il nothing very remarkable, OBJ
serves the Pail Mall Gazette, in French
journalists having fought duel. But IN
encounter in which NJ. Amedec Achard,
whose death has just been recorded, took
part with NJ. Fiorentino, the well-known
musical critic, was of no ordinary kind,
and deserves, perhaps, word of mention.
NJ. Achard was wounded and nearly
killed, because his name began with an a,
or, rather, because it stood first on the list
of names beginning with \ in the books
of the Society of Men of Letters. NJ.
Fiorentino, by reason of the habit imputed
TO him of accepting gifts and pensions
from the singers whose successful perform
anccs We're recorded in his articles,
found himself blackballed very unan-
imously by the said - cicty, TO
which he had imprudently solicited the
honor of being admitted. He declared war
against the members in body. His great
revenge had stomach for them all. But
he proposed to deal with them one by one;
and scarcely knowing with which 10 he
gin he select! Amadce Achard as first
among them - phabctical precedence.
Fiorentino's original mention seems TO
have been to run through the whole Of
French literature. He had no sooner,
however, perforated poor Acharl than the
police intcrfered. He was arrested. tried
and sentenced to brief period of rmpris-
eminent; after which he resumed his crit
ical occupations on the C0Hs ltHtiGHlei and
the Wonitetr (such is liberty of the press
in FranceD rs if nothing whatever had
happened. lie had not proved that the
accusations made against him were I'M
true; but he had shown that he would not
allow himself to be reproached with I'M
puuity.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
FACTS AND FIGURES.
Her amusements last year cost New
York So, 800, 900.

Her amusements last year cost New
York So, 800, 900.
Fishes have no eyelids and necessarily
sleep with their eyes wide open.
Paris has 5000 laundresses, whose
receipts equal G0,900,000 francs year
80. 0O0, 900 for rough work and 10, O00, 900
for getting up muslin and fine linen.
England and the United States, ac-
cording to the latest statistics, are the
largest ugar-consuming countries in the
world. In 1874 England consumed S30,-
900 tons, or about $50 pounds per
head of population. The United States in
the same period used 40, 900 tons, or forty
four pounds per indiv idual.
More than one-half the total popula-
ton of Chicago are engaged either as pro-
mammoth establishments in that vicinity.
The figures for 1874 show as follows
Capital, 1914 ,493, 44S; products, $222 Oh, =
GAG; employees, 4,662.
The French Bureau Teritds publishes
the following list of maritime disasters of
the month of January, 1875: Sailing YES
sells lost, 100, of which 10 were English,
20 French, II German, II Norwegian,
American, Danish, Greek, Italian,
Austrian, 3 Spanish, 3 Russian, Dutch,
Siamese, 1 Swedish, and two flags not
known. The list includes vessels not
heard of and supposed lost. Steamers
lost, 10; of which ID were English, l
American, 1 CHILEAN, Danish, 1 French
and 1 Portuguese One of these steamers
is set down as lost because she has not
been heard of
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
Power Of Explosive Compounds.

Some recent scientific experiments with
explosives, the results Of which are sum-
married. by the Detroit Post, promise to
prove of great practical value in mining
operations generally These experiments
show that the power of explosive com
pounds in rcnding rocks and metals may
be increased scven-fold by the manner in
which they are exploded. For instance, a
pound Of ordinary gunpowder, if set on
fire by Il spark or a fuse, in the manner
usually practiccd in blasting, gives rcnd-
ing power which may be set down rs 100.
But put upon the top of pound of the
same powder few drops of nitro-glyccrine,
and explode the latter so that its explosion
will explode the former, and the rending
power of the powder will be increased to
434-thus exerting force four and a third
times greater than if exploded by a spark
or fuse. A pound of nitro glycerine when
fired by spark gives force of 4S0; but
if fired by exploding upon it a liitlc full
inmate of mercury it yields a force OF
1,0l3, or two and IA half times greater than
when fired by electricity or by fuse.
The rule seems TO he that, in order to pro
ducc the greatest force, the explosion must
be started by the sharper explosion #
some more powerful agent. The practical
he ring of These discoveries if applied to
mining operations is plainly apparent.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01

One-third of the land surface of our
globe is covered with forests. The largest
tree in the woiSd is situated near Muscoli,
at the foot of Mt. 4Etna, and is called
THE Chestnut Tree of IA Hundred Horses, ;"
believed to be the oldest tree in the world.
Its name arose from report that Queen
Jane of Aragon, with her principal no
blity, took refuge from violent storm
under its branches. At one time it was
supposed that it consisted of n clump of
several trees united. But on digging away
the earth the root was found entire and at
no great depth. Five enormous branches
rise from the trunk 204 feet in circumfer-
ence, the intervals between which are Of
various extent, one of them being sufficient
to allow the carriages to drive abreast. A
fig tree stands on the northcrly bank of
the river tombstone, in East Australia,
latitude 81 deg, longitude ISL deg, near
Brisbane, measuring three feet from the
ground $50 feet, and at So feet, where it
sends off great branches so feet in circum
ference. In Bouyouderch, near CONSTANT
nople, is plane tree measuring 1l9
feet in circumference. The "Giant
Redwood Tree in Nevada, latitude 80
deg, longitude 1873 deg, is 119 feet
in circumference. There are thirteen
other trees standing near 1t, measuring
from II to 96 feet in circumference. In
OaXaca is IA cypress tree measuring III
feet in circumference. The Grizzly
Giant" the monarch of the M;,riposa
Grove, measuring 80 feet in circumfer-
ence The Tulare Fresno Forest, so
called from its being situated in those two
counties California;, extending 20 miles
in length, with width in some places of
10 miles, consists mainly of big trees, with
Il multitude of smaller ones, measuring
from to 100 feet in circumference. In
1852 John Dowd discovered in Calaveras
County, Cal, grove of 1913 trees, cover
ing space of fifty acres, measuring from
10 to 96 feet in circumference. There is
an elm tree in the south of England which
measures 81 feet in circumference. In
Norfolkshire there is famous lime tree
measuring As feet in circumference. On
the Hubbard farm, in North Andoyer,
stands a magnificent elm tree, measuring
81 feet in circumference. A barbcrry
bush has taken root in a notch thirty feet
from the ground, which can he rccollcctcd
by some OF the oldest inhabitants during
their boyhood. At Hingham near the
Old Colony House, is an elm tree mcasur-
ing % feet in circumference. The Wash
ington elm, in Cambridge, measures p
feet, and the big elm on Boston Common
measures pa feet in circumference.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
A Victinixed Young Man.

An amusing story is told of young
American gentleman who, while sojourn-
ing in Paris, invited two demoiselles to
accompany him to the theater He Sc
cured three seats and drove to the house
of his fair friends, half hoping that one
was indisposed, SO that his felicity might
he unbounded. The two were awaiting
him, and their mother as we'll, who kindly
invited herself to chaperon the party, and
intimated that her daughters could under
no circumstances 60 without her There
was no help for 1t. The four crowded
into the carriage. No fourth seat
could be obtained adjacent to the three
already secured, or even on the same
tier, and during three long acts the
three ladies sat in a box, while our young
American gazed at them with feelings un-
utterable from his seat in the parquette.
The drama over only cabs with rooms for
two could be obtained to convey the party
home. Here, then, was a dilemma
which young lady should he select as his
cab companion! They were both charm
ing and the matter was difficult to decide.
The old lady settled it, however, to her
satisfaction, if to the annoyance of our
now miserable countryman. Hortenss
and Sophie, you 60 in this cab. Monsieur
and will follow you In the next" Tho
young gsutleman now thinks that French
6pda customs ere baShayuVS.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
LEXINGTON-1775.
BY JOHN G. WHITTIER.

By JOHN g. WHITTIER
IUr.'ten for the recent Centennial Celebration.1
No maddening thirst of blood had they,
No battle-joy was theirs, who set
Against the alien bayonet
Their homespun breasts in that old Gay.
Their feet had troddeu peaceful ways;
They loved not strife, they dreaded pain;
They saw not what to us is plain,
That God would make man S wrath his praise
No scers were they, but simple men;
It's vast results the future hid;
The meaning of the work they did
Was strange and dark and doubtful then
Swift as their summons came they left
The plow mid-furrow standing still,
The background corn-grist in the mill.
The spade il earth, the Ak In cleft
They went where duty seemed to call,
They scarcely asked the reason why;
Ihey only Knew they could but die,
And death was not the worst OF ALL
Of man for man the sacrifice.
Unstained by blood, save theirs, they gave
The flowers that blossomed from their grav'
Have sown themselves beneath all skies.
Their death-shot shook the feudal tower,
And shattered slavcry's chain as well;
On the sky's dome, as on bell,
Its echo struck the worlds great hour.
That fatal echo is not dumb;
The nations listening to its sound
Wait. from a century's underground,
The holier triumphs yet to come
The bridal time OF Law and Love,
The gladness of the worlds release,
When, war-sick, at the foot of peace
The hawk shall nestle with the dovel
The golden age of brotherhood
Unknown to other rivalrics
Than of the mild humanities
And gracious interchange of good,
When closer strand shall lean to strand,
Till meet, beneath saluting flags,
The eagle of our mountain crags,
The lion of our Mothcrland!
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
A Duel at Four Feet.

In 1887 Col. Duvall, a candidate for the
Senate in one of the upper Senatorial dis
tricts of Mississippi, became involved in
a personal affair with young Cunnin gham
of the famous fighting Cunninghams of
South Carolina. Cunningham was not
twenty-one. He was a small, handsome
youth, with long faxen hair, bright blue
eyes, and very amiable. gentle manners,
but of most dauntless determination and
cool courage. Cunningham had chal-
lenged Duvall, who had fought before,
and was regarded as an adept in the duel
10. DuvalI, in a spirit which was consid-
cred as bordering on braggadocio, accept
ed the challenge, but prescribed the terms
that they should fight with pistols at four
feet off. He evidently mistook his man if
he imagined that such terms would be re-
jected by Cunningham. The parties met
opposite Vicksburg. An immense con-
course assembled to witness the affair. The
boyish Cunningham excited universal
sympathy, mingled with pity and admira-
ton, when he appeared in the field. He
looked younger and more boyish than he
really was. There was a serious design
on the part of the spectators to interfere
and prevent the fight between full-grown
man and Il mere boy. But Cunningham
and his friends, by their determined con-
duct, prevented all such interference. The
parties were soon stationed in their places,
just four feet apart by exact measurement.
Cunningham fixed his eye upon his an
tagonist with that peculiarly gentle smile
characteristic of him. Duvall, though
doubtless brave man, could not but feel
and manifest some nervousness on the oc-
casion, as he had prescribed the perilous
and desperate terms on which the combat
was to be determined. Attention was
called, and, the parties declaring that they
We're ready" the word was given, and
both fired at the word zone" Duvall
fell, shot through the heart Cunningham
stood coolly in his place, unscathed. An
involuntary "hurrah" arose from the
spectators at the issue of an affair which
had enlisted their feelings warmly in
behalf of this young David of this combat.
-Neao Orleans Bullttin.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
FOREIGN GOSSIP.

-On the 31st of March, 1873, the num-
Der of registered newspapers existing In
India amounted to 47S; during the past
year 131 fresh papers were registered, fifty
nine discontinued, and eight publications
included in the previous list were omitted
rs not being newspapers, thus leaving on
the S1st of March, 1874, net total Of 542.
"A significant fact is the statement that
2 hrm in Wales rendered to supply an
English railway with 20 600 tons of rails
at . price which would not have given
them any profit, and yet the contract was
gained by a firm in Belgium at twenty
shillings per ton less than the Welsh offer.
The gendarmerie of Valencia have
lust arrested q Dutchman whose profess
sion is, to say the least of it, extraordinary.
He Is . dealer in all sorts of instruments
employed by burglars and thieves. When
arrested he had in his possession a large
stock of pamphlets giving the fullest d.
rections as to the best plan of waylaying
people on the high roads, and also how to
kill them without any noise in case of re-
sistance.
A strange scene lately took place at
the Russian Theater at Odessa. While
the performance was going on it had be-
gun to rain, and the roof of the house
must have been sadly in want of repair,
tor the rain penetrated on the stage The
actors jumping about and using all their
gymnastic skill to avoid the ponds and
nvulets gradually forming on the stage
had at last to retreat to the parterre. But
the performance must be continued was
the imperative order of the director, and
to heighten the misfortune in the scene
now to be played the actors had to glide
in socks over the stage. The prima donna
and the first lover refused to do this, and
appealed to the medical man of the
theafer. The Solomon decided that the
two might act, but only in felt slippers, for
otherwise they would expose themselves
to severe cold. New slippers were &C.
cordingly brought. Happily there was
NO use for them, for the audience, con-
vulsed with laughter, had left the theater.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
CANTON, MISS, SATURDAY, 1, 1875.


Exactly why she had come there she
could not tell. 1t was more to crafty an
old longing than for any definite reason,
though she had persuaded herself into the
belief that she had business at Sheltord.
| At any rate, upon the anniversary of that
| day, eight years ago, when she had waited
| under the yew-tree to say good-by to Mr..
| Scrope, Alice Jervis stood with her hand
| on the wicket gate, quietly reviewing her
| life, and once again asking herself wheth-
er love or pride had had the greater part
| in her decision.
The branches of the yews were waving
gently, the roses were rustlipg their silver
| tipped leaves, and the white moonlight
| fell upon the graves. Still with her hand
upon the garden gate she looked toward
| the church, trying to believe that the
years had stood still, and she was there
waiting for Mr.. Scrope.
She was turning away when dark
! figure approached her and well-remem-
bered voice said:
Miss Jervis.''
Mr.. Scrope.'
"Yes; was waiting for you. wished
| to see you before you went away
Almost her own words in their last in
terview.
She looked up at him half fearfully. 1t
was so strange to see him there at that
hour of the night, and an almost supersti-
| tiOus awe crept over her.
81 wanted to tell you that you have
ruined my life so far. l heard that you
were at Shelford. l knew that you would
be here tonight, and l have come to ask
you if you repent the past, and are willing
to atone for it."
Alice shrank back.
MIR. Scroper' was all she could say.
1.-THE inferiority, if there be any, is on
my side," he said; "you have improved
the past-I have wasted it. Yet the vast
ing of it l lay to your charge. l knew
you better than you knew yourself. 1
wanted wife who would understand me
and would give me sympathy. You c4lld
have done this, and you refused it. viii
you refuse it now:''
BewildeEed, and yet indignant, Alice
shrank farther away from him.
Mr.. Scrope," she said, Il bid you go
back to your wife. l bid you to repair
the brilliant prospects you seem so
wrongly to have married.
Il wish l COULD" he answered sorrow
fully. MY wife is dead Alice, or 1
should not be here tonight. She died
two years ago. You are hard and unjust,
as you have ever BEEN
"Dead"' stammered Alice. g How
could l know? l have but just returned
to England She moved nearer to him ;
she held out her hand. g Forgive me-"
she said
And their eyes met; and Mr.. Scrope,
looking down into hers, stopped and
kissed the quivering lips for the second
time in his life.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
The Darwinian Man.

BABOONs are remarkable for an intelli-
gcncc superior to that of many of their
congeners. Their chiefs-for there exists
with them a veritable hierarchy-have n
wonderful manner of transmitting their
orders to their lieutenants and the latter to
their subordinates. They use a kind of
language composed of numerous and
varied intonations. To us they are cries,
yelps, hOwls and snarlings; but what sin
cere observer will not aver that sometimes
a foreign language uncomprehended by
him has not appeared an uncouth COM
pound of incomprehensible and ridiculous
sounds! In imitation of the people of the
South Of France, they accompany their
discourse by quick, animated gestures in
connection with the subject which occu-
pies them. Balloons are very capable of
having q rudimentary language, if we may
judge Of them by the following adventure ::
An Oriental had a baboOn, well trained
and very intelligent, which he had taught
to watch his dinner while it was upon the
fire. Although man may claim to be the
only cook, our monkey soon took great
interest in this occupation, in which he be-
came very expert But one fine day, when
the Oriental had put the fowl in the pot to
boil, Master Balloon, stimulated by curl
osity, raised the cover of the vessel. The
odor probably pleased the fellow and made
his mouth water; he tasted the article; it
appeared good to him. By dint of tasting
the chicken, the latter was soon admira-
bly, dissected Before this result our
gourmand must have calculated in
advance the inevitable chastSement
which awaited him What was passing in
his monkey brain? To what reasoning. to
what association of ideas did he apply
himself? We cannot know only that he
did extricate himself or thought to have
done so, in an admirable manner, and this
is how he endeavored to do it, proving,
before saying anything, that, in order to
invent the eXpedient which we relate, the
faculties of observation, subjective and
objective, of reasoning and observation,
were brought into play: Nature had en-
dowed part of the body of our baboon
with a red color, so like that of uncooied
beef that on rolling himself in the dust
and curling up he had the appearance, at
IA distance, of a stone upon which piece
of meat had been put Besides, there, as
in all the Orient hover numerous birds of
prey, easily attracted by the odors of the
cuisine, and more voracious than per-
what appeared to be IL fragment
of abandoned flesh, they swoopcd down
quickly. The first which approached paid
dearly for his gluttonous temerity for,
seized Immediately by our quadruman, he
was, notwithstanding his cries, his blows
from be;,k and wings, thrust alive, feath-
crs, bcak and claws, into the boiling pot :;
after which the balloon again resumed his
post as guardian with the quiet ease which
belongs to a clear COZ fence.
| do not relate what the master thought
when he wished to eat his dinner; neither
If he found chicken and broth of delicate
and agreeable flavor. Thc readers ima%i-
nation can supply the mander OF the
narrative.-Fiom, tie Fr Heh. t1r hicdgo
Inter- Ocedr.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-01
London FOOtmen.

An uneasy feeling pervades society with
regard to Its fOOtmen. 1t Is confidently
stated that there exists an association Of
London footmen, under the rules of which
these :" faithful and attached domestics"
are bound to stay in no place under any
circumstance for . longer period than
two years. Even if they lose wages by
the change it must be made The rules of
the association are like the laws of the
Modes and Persians-they are unalterable
This cuts society to the heart; for not
only are the magnificent creatures treated
with the utmost consideration by their
employers, but they become the possessors
Of many family secrets, which, conveyed
from one household to another, tend to
loosen rather than consolidate the bonds
of affection which unite, or ought to
unite, every Christian community In
the meantime Jeames will do well to act
cautiously in the matter of combina-
ton Already he is being superseded in
many families by the parlor maid, who,
it is found, makes less noise in waiting,
gives far less trouble, and with the excep-
ton Of his carriage duties" is as a serv-
ant his equal in every respect. He will
also do well to ponder over q terrible ex-
ample which was made last century of
large number of servants who combined
against their employers. In the annual
Register of 176O it is stated that near
nifty English servants who lately went
over with their masters to join the English
troops in Germany having resolved to
raise their wages and perquisites, their
masters discharged them; they then pro-
cured passes to return to England; but,
the Affair being known on their arrival at
6heerness by the Captain of the Princess
Royal man-of-war, he sent his long-boat
ashore and pressed them into His Majestys
service" There is at the present moment
in many quarters a strong feeling in favor
Of compulsory military service. The
present Government is very strong, which
Is a temptation to become INSCRIPTIONS.
What more likely than that it should
avenge the wrongs Of society by CON-
mencing the experiment with the London
footmen Pal Hall Gazette.