davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

INSULTS. 1T is always better to pass
dozen intended insults without rec
ognition, than to take offense at sim
gle unintentional neglect or reflection
Misunderstanding are fruitful Of more
unkindly feeling in society than ever
result from deliberate ill-nature. Hun
dreds of friendships have been sundered
by that egotistical sensitiveness which
is ever looking for offense. We can all
point to certain persons who are thus
morbidly sensitive to painful degree.
They are disagreeable companions. We
need not spend our precious time in
pointing to them, however. We have
each something to guard in our own
character. We are each inclined to
take ofense too easily. If we could
remove this ever jealous watchfulness,
society would gain new charm, or
rather it would be relieved Of very
disagreeable feature. Pass neglect,
then, and personal reflections, as grace
fully as possible. instead Of taking the
risk Of being offended when no offense
is intended.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
WASTE NO TIME.

Time lost can never be regained. -
After allowing yourself proper time for
rest don't live single hour of your
life without doing exactly what is to BE-
done in it and going straight through
with it from beginning to end. Work,
play, study, whatever it is. take hold
Of it at once and finish it up squarely
and cleanly; then to the next thing
without letting any moments drop out
between. It is wonderful to see how
many hours these prompt people make
out Of day ; and it is as if they picked
up the moments that the twaddlers lost
And if you ever find yourself where you
have SO many things pressed upon you
that you hardly know where to begin.
let me tell you secret. Take hold Of
the very first one that comes to hand,
and you will find the rest all fall into
file, and follow after like company Of
well-drilled soldiers, and though work
may be hard to meet when it challenges
you in squad, it is easily vanquished
if you can bring it into line.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
GRACE DARL1rG,s HERo1sn1.

Grace Darling. the daughte of the
keeper of one Of the lighthouses upon
the Fern Islands. d perilous cluster oI
rocks off Saint Abbie's head, was ava
kened towards the morning Of the sixth
Of September, 1885, by shrieks Of dis.
tress, and when dawn came, perceived
the remains Of a wreck upon Longstone
Island, the outermost of the group.
Grace awoke her father and urged
him to launch his boat and 60 to the
rescue Of any one who might still be
alive in the stranded vessel, but the
tide was rising. wind and sea were wild.
and the man hung back. Grace, how
ever, was sure that she discerned q
movement on the wreck, as though
living beings were still there, and seiz-
ing an oar, placed herself in the boat,
which she was well able to manage.
Her father would not let her 60 alone,
and they rowed off together in a tre-
mendous sea, encouraged by perceiving
that nine persons were still clinging to
the forepart of the ship. The father,
after many vain attempts, succeeded in
landing on the rock, and making his
way to the wreck, while Grace rowed
off and on among the breakers, dexter
ously guiding her little boat. which but
for the excellent management would
have been dashed to pieces against the
rocks.
One by one, with the utmost care
and skill, the nine survivors were
placed in the boat and carried to the
lighthouse, where Grace lodged, fed
and nursed them for two whole days.
before the storm abated enough for
communication with the mainland. One
was lady whose two children of eleven
and eight years old had actually been
buffeted to death by the waves while
she held them in her arms, and who
was SO much injured herself that it was
long before she could leave her bed.
The vessel was the Forfarshire.
large steamer plying between Hull and
Dundee. Her boiler had been out Of
order, their leakage had rendered the
engines useless, and when the storm
arose the ship was unmanageable with
out her steam, and was driven help
lessly upon the Fern Islands. The only
boat had been lowered by eight Of the
sailors, who were pushing off in her,
when one gentleman rushed upon the
deck, seized rope and swung himself
in after them. These nine were picked
up by sloop and saved. Of the others,
the whole number had either been
drowned in their berths, or washed off
the wreck, except four Of the crew and
FIVE passengers, whom Grace Darling's
valor had rescued The entire number
of the lost is not known, but more than
forty had certainly got on board at
Hull. Some sailors at Sunderland went
out to the wreck during the storm at
the peril of their lives, but found only
eorpses to bring away. Grace's noble
conduct rang through England, and
every testimonial that could be offered
was sent to her. We believe this brave
girl soon after died Of decline.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
MANAGING YOUNG GIRLS.

Why is it that young gentlemen have
such a poor opinion Of young girls !
At rule, they think them very pleas
ant to pass an hour with, provided the
girls let them make as many foolish
speeches as they like and repay them
with interest. And who is to blame for
that? Surely not the girls. Their
greatest ambition in life is to be loved
by and become the wife Of some good
man, and. say what you will, it is a
noble one. With this end in view, ii
is, of course, natural that a desire to
please the lords of creation should be
uppermost in a girls mind. If men
will not be interested when you talk
sense, what can you do but talk nom
sense Men complain that girls have
nothing else to talk about except their
last Irritation, balls, and parties, yet il
they converse with them for an hour
upon philosophy, metaphysics, or even
the last new book you are bored, called
a poor girl who has worried her brains
for your entertainment. Women were
made to please, not to lecture one like
a trained professor, and wonder what
she did it for. No. no. What is it
you want? If you were to lay down
your rules there is not one girl in a
thousand but would gladly obey them,
ridiculous as they would surely be.
Try it and see If you have a lady
friend whom you could like SO much if
it were not for this or that little fault,
tell her SO, and if she cares anything
for you she will correct it. Treat wo-
men like human beings, then prophesy
speedy change for the better.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
Selett Aoetrp.
AUTUMN.

They have come-the autumn days,
When the red suns chastened rays,
F In the wood,
Glimmer bright on shade and hue
That the summer never knew,
And pierce the thicket through
Where stood.
1t had come-the autumn time;
Passed the summer and the prime
Of my days.
Careless ! Of joys or fears,
For the sod was damp with tears;
Withered fell the hopes Of years
In my gaze.
When the magic of thy love
Let the sun in from above,
Soft and bright.
And saw with altered mind
That the autumn, too, was kind
In its light.
For, just as q brighter sheen
Gloriies the passing green
OF the leaf,
And the vistas op'ning clear
Let the wider scenes appear
Free from grief;
SO might it be in life,
When the glory and the strife
Of its June
Had shed their flowers and fruits,
From pure or poisoned roots,
Late or soon.
We may find grander view,
With wider passage through
To our rest,
And that love which blossoms last,
When PASSIONS dream is past,
Is the best.
Temple Bar.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
WHEN AND WHY LAMPS EXPLODE

We take from the Scientific Anseri
can few hints that journal gives as t
the danger arising from petroleum
lamps:
All explosions Of petroleum lamp
are caused by the vapor or gas tha
collects in the space above the oil
When full of oil, Of course. lamp con
tains no gas, but Immediately on light
ing the lamp consumption Of oil begins
soon leaving space for gas, which
commences to form as the lamp warm.
up, and after burning short time. suf.
fcieDt gas will accumulate to form ar
explosion. The gas in lamp will ex
plode only when ignited. In this re.
spect it is like gunpowder. Cheap ol
inferior oil is always most dangerous.
The fame is communicated to the
gas in the following manner: The
wick tube in all lamp burners is made
larger than the wick which is to pas.
through it. II would not do. to have
the wick work tightly in the burner ;
on the contrary. it is essential that il
move up and down with perfect ease.
In this way til unavoidable that space
in the tube is left along the sides Of the
wick sufficient for the flame from the
burner to pass down into the lamp and
explode the gas.
Many things occur to cause the fame
to pass down the wick and explode the
lamp. /. A lamp may be standing on
a table or mantel, and slight puff of
air from the open window or door may
cause an explosion. 2. A lamp may
be taken up quickly from a table or
mantel and instantly exploded. 8. A
lamp is taken into an entry where there
is draught, or out Of doors, and an
explosion ensues A. A lighted lamp
is taken up a fight Of stairs, or is
raised quickly to place it on the mantel.
resulting in an explosion. In these
cases the mischief is done by the air
movement either by suddenly check
ing the draught, or forcing air down
the chimney against the fame. 5.
Blowing down the chimney to extin.
guish the light is frequent cause q
explosion. 6. Lamp explosions have
been caustd by using chimney broken
off at the top, or one that has piece
broken out, whereby the draught is
variable and the fame unsteady 7.
Sometimes thoughtless person puts
small-sized wick in large burner,
thus leaving considerable space along
the edges Of the wick. s. An old
burner, with its air-draughts elogged
up, which rightfully should be thrown
away, is sometimes continued in use.
and the final result is an explosion.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
A CLEVER INVENTION.

The faculty of remaining in the water
for greater or less period of time,
which has been enjoyed by Mankind
ever since the existence Of the element
itself, seems likely to be extended to
fire, in the event Of fire-proof dress
the invention Of a Swedish officer, Gap
tain Ahlstrom), and which has come
triumphant out Of every trial-proving
ultimately successful. At a recent ex-
pertinent in Silesia, four heaps, consist
ing of logs Of wood, were arranged in
the form Of a square. well covered with
shavings, and saturated with petroleum.
They were then set FIRE to, and speedily
became q mass Of flames. Into this
fiery furnace, the glowing heat of which
kept spectators at respectful distance.
stepped Captain Ahlstrom, clad in his
fire. proof dress. He moved freely about
in the restricted space, some four feet
square, formed by the heaps-leaning
from time to time, quite unconcernedly,
against the blazing piles and finally.
taking his seat upon one Of the heaps.
glowing with intense heat, he reclined
there with as much nonchalance az
though it had been sofa. He remain
ed thirty minutes in the flames without
suffering in the smallest degree from the
heat. Next day An experiment was
made in the Hohenzollern mine, with
the view Of seeing whether the appara-
tus would avail in the event of an ex-
plosion Of fre-damp, or any analogous
accident. The principal Of the gymna-
SUM, who volunteered to test it per-
sonally. descended into space which
had been shut off from the rest of the
mine and filled with gas. and remained
there for twenty minutes without ex-
periencing the slightest inconvenience
from the poisonous atmosphere. Cap
tain Ahlstrom has sold his invention to
Prussia for fifty thousand marks.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
AN ErGL1sH PRISON.

through the massive portai oI the
outer gate we have come, and entering
into the Jail through that handsome
door in the iron railing that closes the
inside entrance, We find ourselves in q
building in which three or more wings
converge to the centre hall. Each wing
is divided into three stories. Along
each story runs light iron gallery,
which you can gain by mounting that
ornamental circular stair running from
top to bottom. Above, large glass sky
lights give ample light and ventilation.
Everything is light. airy, and cheerful.
The brasses shine as brasses shine only
in jails and on men-of-war. Let US
walk along the cells, and look at some
Of their occupants. Here is a man
making pair Of boots, and seemingly
rather comfortable and happy. He is
q bootmaker, who has been twenty
times committed for drunkenness. He
is only drunkard; SO we may feel q
certain amount Of satisfaction that he is
not very miserable What . difference
for him is his time spent in Jail from the
intervals of freedom Here he works
between six and seven hours day, and
out Of his earnings he receives an allow
ance larger than ever was left him by
the public house when at home
Around him everything is exquisitely
clean. His cell is boarded, and mea-
sures twelve feet by seven 1t is ten
feet high, and is lit and ventilated in
the most perfect manner that Science
can devise. On his shelf are his dish
for porridge, and tins bright as silver
for soup and milk. A clean hammock.
in which you might sleep most comfort
ably, is neatly folded and hung against
the wall In corner is basin with
water, in which be can wash himself if
he chooses. In winter the apartment
is kept at a comfortable temperature by
'hot-air pipes. and gas-burner diffuses
cheerful light in the long winter even
ings. Should he feel i'll be pulls bell
handle. on which gong Sounds in the
centre hall, and from his door the num-
Der Of his cell starts out; and no mil
lionaire at Claridge's is half SO punctu-
ally answered as he is BY the turnkey
on guard, who inquiries into his wants,
and, if necessary, doctor is at his bed
side long ere the Union doctor could be
found and persuaded to visit him were
he at home. As be seems quiet fell
low, we do not feel much regret that be
has had the good fortune to become an
habitual drunkard But what shall We
say to the occupant Of the adjoining Fl
we'll, cell? Here . burly ruf6an is ep-
gagged in making mats. The work is
pleasant; the cell fac-simile Of the
one described. And as we listen to the
details Of the crime for which be is un-
dergoing two months punishment, "
we cannot help contrasting his pleasant
lot with the squalor and misery Of his
lazy, idle, polluted life outside, and
feeling that in SO furnishing rufian for
brutal assault upon woman, human
itarianism has become crime, and set
up in our jails temptation to idle ras-
Gals to ''come in and be happy" against
which it would require large amount
of abstract morality to struggle.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
NOTICE. "A CARD.

IA 4 SIAFoRD, DEL, August 10, 1876.
To the Directors of the Delaware State Fire
and Marine Insurance Company.
GENTLEMEN: Allow me TO return you my
thanks for the full payment Of my claim
against your company, under. Policy ll46,
especially as had violated one of the express
conditions of the policy, whereby its payment
could have been avoided, or at least subjected
me to long and expensive litigation. ! with
pleasure recommend my friends to insure
their property in the Delaware State Fire and
Marine Insurance Company. ! am respect
fully, yours, F. A. MOORE,
for WIN. L. MOORE.
Amount paid, 81, $50.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

WASTED CoMpL1MxNrs.-" What ex-
quisite preserves, Mrs. Smoothly how
do you have such splendid luck with
everything you put up? :" complimented
one Of the ladies At the tea-table.
What are they. BY the way r
Mrs. Smoothly was taken By surprise,
but RECEIVERS herself and calls tho SER
want. ssi's. p
81 have not tasted them yet" she
said, and have really forgotten what
I ordered the girl to put on for you.
Bridget, what are these preserves Z"
"Thim. ma'am Thirty-ive cents
q can sorra a nickel less would the
grocer take. and thin big green things
in the dish beyant is fifty cents fur
little glass jar"
Tableau Of silence. and good-heart-
ed. honest girl out Of job two hours
later.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

A Middletown girl had a fall last
week, and injured herself so severely
that she was carried home insensible.
Upon recovering, her first words, ad.
dressed to her sister, were: Mary,
did I have on my striped stockings 7"
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

Nor THAT KIND OF HsARr.-She
was an angel blonde, and she trippsd
through the market until she reachedla :
stall where handsome butcher stood.
!" Have You heart 7" she said, blush
ing timidly. Have I . heart. miss r.
responded the butcher. !" Do you think
I can watch you day after day and see
your eyes droop as they meet mine
that I can feel your velvet breath upon
my cheek as l stoop over to serve you
and not have heart? All, maiden
I am all heart, and you ask me have ]
one p :" Yes" she sighed family, this
is beautiful, this Is divine, but it amt
the kind I want this morning. 30 give
me bullock's heart quick and trim it
for stufing. or my old man II be rails
ing Cain If his dinner amt cooked. -
Nashville Americon.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

The first stage coach in America
started from Boston, from the site of
No. 80 North street, in 1861. The
first line Of stage coaches between Bos-
ton and New York was established in
1882, a coach leaving each city once a
month. Fourteen days were required
to complete the journey. In 1902 the
mail stage started from Boston for New
York on Monday at 8 A. M, and was
due in New York at noon on Friday.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
8ulIlol'olls.

| HAD NO Fun IN HIx One Of the
members Of the Methodist Conference,
recently held here. was out for walk
at an early hour one morning. and while
| on Howard street he encountered :
strapping big fellow, Who WAS drawing
wagon to the black smith shop
"Catch hold here and help me down
to the shop with this wagon and I'll buy
the whiskey r. called the big fellow.
II never drink, " solemnly replied
the good man.
"Well, Jon can take . cigar. :
II never smoke"
"Don't you chew I"
"No, sir, was the decided reply
"You must get mighty lonesome. !"
unused the teamster.
II guess I'm al right feel 6rst
rate"
s'I1l bet you even. that I can lay
you on your back, " remarked the team
tier "Coms now, lets warm up . lit
tle."
II never bet. = ~
"Well. let's take each other down
for fun. then. You are as big q I am,
and I'll give Jon the under hold.
II never have fun" solemnly an
swered the member. 81.
"Well. I'm going to tackle you any
way. Here we 60 !"
The teamster slid up and endsavor-
ed to get neck hold. but he had only
just commenced to fool about when he
was lifted clear off the grass and slam
med against tree box with such force
that be gasped half dozen times be-
fore be could get his breath.
"Now. you keep away from me r
exclaimed the minister. picking up his
cane. /.
Bust me if / don't !" rsplided the
teamster, as he edged off. What's
the use il lying and saying that you
didn't have any fun in you when you're
chuck fullof it! Blame it you wanted
to break my back. didn't you fp-
Detroit Free Press.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
+. What's the difference. /" asked

:" What's the difference" asked a
Centennial visitor, pointing to Mem
orial Hall, " what's the difference be-
tween that building and . vein in q
young lady's arm r. !" Why, ones an
Art Gallery and the others . gal ar
terry" They carted him off in an am
bulance.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

The love of glory, the fear of shame,
the design Of making a fortune, the
desire Of rendering life easy and agree
able, and the humor Of pulling down
other people, are often the causes Of
that valor SO celebrated among men.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

RospERITY.-Prosperity shines Oh
different persons much in the same way
that the sun shines on different objects
Some it hardens like mud, while others
it softens like wax.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

If man does not make new ac-
quaintances as he advances through
life, he will soon find himself left all
alone. A man should keep his friend
ships in constant repair.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

DIDN'T Ask THEM.-The retort of q
little boy to lawyer in police court.
not long ago created some amusement.
The lad being witness. was questioned
concerning . certain cheap newell al
legged to have been stolen
/" What Was the picture on the
cover 7" asked the attorney.
{" Two Indians. /" was the reply.
/" What we're the indians doing p
II didn't AK 'em. " answered The boy.
The attorney suddenly discovered
that he had no further use for the young
witness.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

A PHILosopHIcAL FoREoAsr. 1t was
at the market house yesterday morning.
Uncle Cuffee. Perkinaon, Of Prince
Georges. aad C@sar Slote, Of Dinvid-
die. we're discussing, between slices of
succulent watermelon. the political is
sues of the day. Said Uncle Cuffee,
"I amt gwine ter vote dat radical
ticket any more" = Why r. said
Caesar. !. Well." said the old man.
"I dreamt I was in hell last night. !"
" Did You see any radical officers down
there 7" eyes, / did, said the old
fellow. " hell was full Of 'em, and every
oficeholder had a niger holdin' tween
him and de Ere. p Pesersburq Ne,os.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

He bot waters his soup who takes
many words to tell short story.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
AVERILL CHEMICAL PAINT,
TOWN AND COUNTRY PAINT,
fRcady.Mixed.)
(Ready-Mixed.

s''Blatchley's' Celebrated Cucumber Wood
Pumps and everything in the building line.
Having made arrangements with large
wholesale dealers, shall be prepared to fur
nish large bills Of Lumber for buildings, such
as may not have in stock, direct from whole
sale dealers, thereby securing the lowest prices
possible to be obtained.
Give me q call, and get my prices, before
purchasing elsewhere. M Feb Sly.
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

"Have you any old clothes, mum. a.
you could give poor man Who has =
sick wife and six small children to sup
port. :" inquired : dillapidated person at
the door Of IN uptown residence. =. Eve
got coat with but three buttons gone,
and pair Of pantaloons that havs but
small patch behind. which I guess
you can have" said the good woman,
after she had examined the closet I" Il
the coat double breasted with velvet
collar 2" inquired the poor man. ~ Are
the pantaloons Of plsid pattern and
cut with spring bottoms of twenty-five
inches :" !" No, SIR" I" Then I guess
you needn't trot 'em out. said the poor
man, !" they amt my style. aud ! don't
want EN-"
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14

The IR1sHMAr's Car "A poor Irish
man applied to one Of the oversesrs Of
the poor for relief, md upon some
doubt being expressed as to whether he
was proper subject for parochial re-
lief. be enforced his suit with much
sarnestness.
"Och, yer honor. said be. s.shure
I'd be starved long since but for me
cat" g
but for what r asked tie as.to,lsiisshe,d Ii,
interrogator. IS.
"Me cat" rejoined tie Irishman.
"Ycur cat how 50 I" 4's's
"Surs, yer honor, / sould her eleven
times for six pence time, and she was
always home before I could get there
meself." ss
Middletown transcript., 1876-10-14
GEoRoErows, DEL, August 16, 1876.

GEoRoErowS, DEL, August l6, 1876.
(. James H. Myers, Esq, fEj 4
Secretary Delaware State Fire and Marine
Insurance Company.
4 a DEAR SIR: Through you wish to express
my thanks to the Directors for the prompt
payment Of our claim under Policy l,36S.--
Your action under the circumstances, places
us under many obligations to your company
as we recognize the fact that we had no legal
claim on your company for the payment of
the same. We will here say to our friends
that il they want policy in company that
tries to practice justice and equity in the ad-
justment and payment Of its losses, then in
sure your property in the Delaware State Fire
and Marine Insurance Company.
W. B. TOMLINSON,
for A. B. Robinson b Co.
Amount paid, $500.
james q. Myers, Esq, \ ~.
Secretary and Treasurer Delaware State Fire
and Marine Insurance Company.
DEAR Sin: Please accept my thanks for
your satisfactory settlement and prompt pay
ment of my claim of 81 900 against your COM
pany, for loss under Policy No. 446 which
held on assignment as collateral security
The prompt and very satisfactory manner in
which all losses are paid by Delaware State
Fire and Marine Insurance Company has
already made the company favorite with the
insuring public. A. r. WILSON,
Agent and Attorney.