davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

The term Mardi- -Gras which has been
20 much used in southern cities Of late
yeara, il a "dead letter" TO most Of our
readers. The Ohio State Journal defines
the terms, and gives the object and de-
sign Of the festivities connected with Il,
a. follows:
Mardi-Gras pronounced MArdee
Grah) is compnnnd Of two French
words-Mardi (Tue-day.l and grAs (fat;l
and the meaning is Fat Tuesday. In L.
ally il is called Carnival. The following
Is one Of the explanations drawn out by
the current festivities: "Our Savior be-
fore His cruci6xion. tasted forty days
Chri-tains, from time immemorial. have
observed this fast each year, as the sn-
niversary OF the FAST OF the Savior re-
turns. and the season Of forty days j.
called Lent. IL commences on Wednes
dav, called Ash Wednesday. from an
old English practice OF pprinkling ashes
on the heads OF the Penitents on that
day. During the season Of Lent the
faithful in the Roman Catholic and
rome Protestant Churches, abstain from
eating meat and other animal food. On
Shrove Tuesday festive farewell is ta-
ken Of meat, hence the Italian term for
the ceremonies Of that occasion, 'Carni-
VAL evidently from earDe vale-good-
buy meat"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
A Wonderful Boy.


A fonr-year-old boy, by the name of
James Martin Williams, is crammed
with dates, figures, facts, and volume
of lore, such as ordinarily requires a
life time to acquire. in history he is a
very encyclopedia of knowledge. The
ancient kings, their wars, the rise and
fall of the Roman Empire, the career OF
Bonaparte, the times of the death and
the ages of the rulers of England, the
settlement of this country, and similar
facts, are as familiar to him as the alpha
bet to an older person. He can name
the capital of every State in the Union.
and of every foreign country. He re-
peats whole chapters of the Bible, and
speaks in a child like manner, just as
though rattling of the veriest common
place remarks of other children Of his
age.
The first indication Of this marvellous
faculty came TO his parents in this way
They are religious people, and each
morning read from the Scriptures before
prayer Shortly after the exercises one
morning, several months ago, his mother
was astounded TO hear him repeating,
word for word, the lines from the Bible
which he had heard read an hour or sc
before. She called him TO her and found
that he could recite other portions oi
the holy hook. She commenced teach
ing him his letters, and in an hour and
a half he had learned the whole. He
progressed with wonderful rapidity, and
soon could spell. A physician was con-
suited. and advised them to keep the boy
away from books and not allow him tC
study, as his health would not allow it
Since that time has been taught to read
by his father, and now remembers every
thing he has heard.
His parents are people in ordinary
circumstances, and can not in any way
account for the remarkable memory O.
their child Bonneville Advertiser.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
VOLUME 3.
From the CIie so Inter-Ocean-]
THE COMING EPIDEMIC.
A General Epidemic Predicted as Q
Result OF the Winters ExtraOrdi-
nary Weather.

At the last meeting the Chicago Acad-
emy of Homeopathic Physicians and
Surgeons, DR.. T. C. Duncan read the
following paper on "The Coming Epi-
demic," which was listened to with
marked attention:
The strange and unusnal weather We
are having makes mort of people fear
that we will have a summer season of
severe sickness. The best minds in the
country are trying to solve the problem,
so that they may be able to give the
proper dviee 70 the public.
DIR. Dood writes: I'VE are. without
doubt, on the eve of an extensive epid-
emic of unusual severity and fatality
Everything points to it. and mems
minds are prepared for it."
What are the signs of the times? Let
us for a moment glance at
THE METEOROLOGICAL CONDITION
PRECEDING EXTENSIVE EPIDEMICs.
DIR. Southwood Smith, late medical
ad wiser to the General Board of Health
for Great Britain, says, in speaking of
epidemics: Among the premonitory
indications Of their approach will he
found disturbance of regular and ordi-
nary condition Of the atmosphere; an in
version of the seasons summer in w.n-
ter, and winter in summer; long continu-
ed droughta followed by protracted rain
fall, causing rivers to overflow and seed
to rot in the earth; cloud mist and fog,
fayoring excessive dsmpness, which
penetrates everything. These conditions,
favor the generation of locnsts, caterpil-
lars, flies, and frogs, which cover the
face of the earth. As = secret oil these
follows dearth and famine, closing the
long series of calamities. Such in all
ages and countries have been the recogn-
lied portents and precursors of a coming
year o. pestilence.
Other facts are:
l. An increased pressure of the at
mosphere, greatest at the worst period OF
the epidemic
2. An increased density of the atmos-
phere, not arising from an increase OF
watery vapor.
8. The quantity of water in the air
was l-2Oth less than the average. at the
same time that the mean weight of a
cubic foot of air was two grains above
the average.
An unusual alienation of heat and
cold, vet the heat predominating to such
an extent that in localities il rose as
much az from two degrees to eight de-
grees above the average.
These facts were suggestive when the
rise or excess of temperature occurred
at night; and the temperature was always
highest when the mortality was the
| greatest.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

A correspondent, writing from Cali
fornia, SAYS that the Centennial fever is
high. Everybody ia talking about il.
and nearly every man you meet is saw
ing up his dimes for the trip. We are
going to show you what can be done in
the way of exhibition of our metallic
product. Arrangements are being made
to produce during the month Of May
$40, ,000, 900 Of bullion and TO exhibit il
in one grand pile. II can be done east
ly, and the Consolidated Virginia and
California mines say they will turn out
the entire amount from these two
mines, completely throwing into the
shade the product of the far famed
Potosi mines of the olden times. Ten
millions Of dollars IN bars piled up will
be sight for the multitude who have
not seen anything but paper money for
the past dozen years. Everybody will
have the California fever anew, and by
the same token, il is not bad country
that can produce the 'loikes' dug out of
the bowels Of the earth in thirty days.
Unfortunately, il dont do some Of US
much good, as the distribution Is not
general. A few lucky fellows get the
lions share"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

To PREVENT ACCIDENTS TO RAIL
ROAD TRAINs.-To prevent the acci-
dents to which railroad trains are liable
from one car jumping the track, the
plan has been devised Of applyir g to
cars q kind Of shoe. consisting Of
clamp.like arrangement which is affi xed
between the wheels Of each truck. This
runs about two inches from the rail. and
IL anything happens tending to throw
the wheels from the track, the clamp at
once grasps the rails. holds the car on
the track. and brings the train 20 n
speedy halt. Such n shoe will, 10 is
claimed, prove a great saving of railroad
rolling stock. and add greatly TO the
strength of the truck, il being construct
ed of iron and weighing some five hun
dred pounds. Experiments made with
cars provided with this device show
that she arrangement AecomPlishes very
effectively the object in view. and IL Is
estimated that, on account Of the addi-
tionAl strength thus impaired to thS car,
it must last much longer.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
The Vest Pockets.

A Young man from one Of the aubur.
ban districts was in one Of our tailor
shops getting measured for a vest the
other afternoon.
"MArFIed or unmarried" queried the
merchant after taking down the number.
"Unmarried." said ths young man,
with a blush.
"Inside pockets on the left hand side,
then" observed the tailor. as 70 10 him
self. marking a memorandum TO that
effect.
After n moments pause, the young
man from the suburbs inquired;
"what difference does my being mar
ried or unmarried make with she insile
pocket Of the vest?'
"Ah my dear sir" observed the tailor,
with a bland smile, ''all the difference
possible, aa you must see. Being un-
married, you want the pocket on the
left side, so A. TO bring the young lady's
picture next to your heart"
but don't the married man also want
his wife's picture next to his hearll'
queried the anxious youth.
Possibly there Il an instance Of that
kind, /" said the tailor, archinE his eye
hrows," but never heard Of it."-L Dan
bury News.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
How TO Save.

The way to save is TO begin with lit
tie matters, and to begin st once. No
one ever made his way from poverty TO
riches who scorned economy in small
things, and could not comprehend the
value of single cent. The poor man
who would get ahead pecuniarily must
learn that to aave cent after cent-one at
q time, if he can do no more-till he
gets hundred Of them, and 30 has
dollar, is wise and noble thing for him
to do. Having shus actually saved his
first dollar, he will have acquired with
il a power of seif-denial and tenacity
Of purpose which will enable him TO
save one dollar after another until he
gets hundred; and then he can save on
indefinitely, and become independent in
fortune.
"Bnt," says some one who has lived
all his life without saving, "How am ]
to save. Ny habits are fixed. How
can learn to lay by something for old
age?" You must do as to money mat
tiers what certain ancient school of
philosophers did .s to morals. These
old sages used. every night, to review
their actions for the day, and see what
they ought not to have done that they
had done. and what they might have
done better of the things which it had
been necessary for them to do. So too,
must you every night review the actions
of the day, and see what you have spent
that you ought not to have spent. and
how you might have got more economi-
cally what il was necessary for you to
obtain. Amy one who faithfully makes
such q review of his expenditures will
be apt to discover many opportunities
for rstrenchment and reform; and then,
IL he will, he can at once begin to save.
and may acquire economical habits
which will secure his future prosperity.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
Al VALUABLE WORK.


The Centennial History ofthe United
States, from the Discovery ofthe Amer
lean Continent 10 the Close Of the First
Century Of American Independence
BY James ID. MeCabe. Author Of "a
Manual Of General History" "The
Great Republic" Etc, Etc.
II isa we'll known fact that the great
mass Of our people are compelled 10 re-
ly, for their knowledge Of the history Of
their country, upon the outline works
intended for the use Of schools, which
by their very nature are brief; designed
for the comprehension Of children, and
in every way unsuited TO the adult
mind. There has long been felt gen
nine want of History of the United
states. GOV ring the whole period from
the discovery Of the Continent 10 the
present day, and presenting in a succinct
and comprehensive form the history Of
our country through its various periods,
from a higher and more thoughtful
standpoint than would be proper in
school history. This demand we are
happy to say is satisfactorily met in
The Centennial History Of the United
States" work which il evidently de-
stined to take rank as the Standard His
tory Of our country. The author, James
d. McCabe, is an able and well known
historical writer.
We most heartily commend this work
-, Il = 4
tails. no bombastic effort to inlame the
national pride. bnt Is a clear. vivid, and
brilliant narrative Of the events Of our
history, from the discovery Of the Amer
lean Continent to the present day II
gives a most interesting account Of the
Iniians Of North America, from the
lime Of the coming Of the white men
The voyages Of Columbus, the explora-
tions of the different nations Of Europe,
and the wanderings ofthe Spandiards in
'earch Of gold and immortal youth, are
told with graphic power. The story Of
the Revolution is related with all the
interest Of romance; then follows a
clear and succinct account Of the forma-
tion of the Federal Constitution, the
Second War with England, the Mexican
War, and the events Of our history up
to the commencement Of the Civil War.
The History Of the Civil War is related
with intense vigor, and with strict ideli-
~ to truth. The author writes through
out with calmness and impartiaiity, and
pleads the cause or no section or party.
The book contains an Appendix, giving
an account Of the approaching IntcFna-
tional Centennial Exhibition.
1t is comprised in one large and hand
some volume, Of 925 pages, and contains
442 fine engravings on steel and wood
The book Is issned by the National
Publishing Co, Of Philadelphia, whose
imprint is guarantee of the excellence
Of the workmanship. The price il low
considering the character of the work
and each subscribcr il presented with a
handsome lithographic engraving of the
Centennial Exhibition Buildinga and
Grounds. Il is zold by subscription on
ly. and the publishers want agents in
every county.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
Don't Tell All You Know.

It is a bad plan to place unreserved
confidence in man or woman. Never
tell any one everything about yourself
Jet there be little mystery and re-
serve; your friends will like you all the
more for is. A hook that you "know by
heart" must inevitably be cast aside for
a fresh volume; SO will you be served If
you allow yourself to be thoroughly
read. But be prepared, in any emerRen-
cy, to look your own life and acts square
ly in the face without even finchinR, or
mark yourself a coward. 1t is not nee
essary to publish to the world all that is
strictly personal, unless ridicule and
fritiering Of power are desired; but il
gossip makes itaelf busy with your name
do not be aggrieved if a grain OF truth
is spread over a dozen lies. Pass them
by in silence, and do not even then for
get your habitual reticence. Justice
will be done you in time, never fear
and the less you clamor for it the bet,
ter. Don't talk too much.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
MISCELLANY.



In the whole range Of sacred and pro-
fame literature, perhaps there is nothing
recorded which has such staying proper
ties as good healthy mortgage.
A mortgage can be depended on to
stick closer than a brother. 1t has a
mission to perform which never lets up.
Day after day it is right there nor does
the slightest tendency to slumber impair
its vigor in the least. Night and day.
and at holiday times, without moments
rest for sickness or recreation. the biting
Offspring of its existence goes on.
The seasons may change, days run into
weeks, weeks into months and months be
swallowed up into the gray man of ad-
varcing years. but that mortgage stand
up in sleepless vigilance, with the inter-
est, perennial stream ceaselessly run
ming on.
Like a huge nightmare eating ont the
sleep of some restless slumberer, the un-
paid mortgage rears up its gaunt front
in perpetual torment to the miserable
wight who is held within its miserable
clutch. 1t holds the poor victim with
the relentless grasp of ginnt; not one
hour of recreation; not q moments eva
sion of its hideOus presence. A genial
savage Of modifying aspect while the
interest is paid; very devil Of hopeless
destruction when the payments fail.
Other liabilities may be evaded or
smoothed aside; but a mortgage hangs
on with the pertinacity of bull dog or
the grip of q blacksmith's vice. If the
interest is paid it is added to swell its
grim parent, the principal, and holds up
its horrible front with q harder seeming
than before. 1t will have the pound OF
flesh which is nominated in the bond;
and more terrible than the fearful witch
es in Macbeth, the threatening hend,
Foreclosure, rears up it's dreaded menace
with the crushing weight of hopeless
despair.
Pity for the poor man who has the
grim fend in his household. Every
sour of his life is fraught with one in
tact endurance of mise-y and dread,
embittered with a grievous load he if
powerless to shake away.-lIndustrial
Age
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
ThermOmetrieal.

There ia = case in point here Of = me-
tEologically inclined postman Of Hart
ford who fxes his idea OF the days cold
by q particular thermometer that he
visits every morning in the line Of his
duties. Plying him, the owner Of she
thermometer regularly on cold days
warns up the bulb just as the messenger
arrives in sight, and she satisfied way
fArer hasn't been really cold yet . singl lie
morning. His eyes prove to him that !.
would be foolish 20 feel q condition that
does not exist, SO he doesn't feel il. And
. defective Thermometer has bsen known
10 keep family cold all winter, to cause
several extra tons Of coal 70 be burned,
and to lead 20 = rupture with the agent
Of "ths best furnace in she world. -
Hartford Courant.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
A Second Trial at Marriage Also q
Failure.

The Portland Oregonian of February
IL. has the following story of real life.
"a suit fer dive has been commenced
in the State Circuit Court for this conn
ty is somewhat romantic. TO say the
least. The facts concerning the same
are substantially as follows: The plaintiff
and defendant were married in one of
the Eastern States when quite young.
For time the course of true love ran
smoothly In this case, however, the
course was brief. Misunderstanding
were of frequent occurrence, until finally
relief was sought fos in q court of equity.
and decree of divorce obtained, snap
ping In twain the silken cords. &c. Both
parties married again, the husband with
his second wife seeking home in this
far-off country, and the wife, with her
newly -espoused liese lord, remaining at
the old home The heart and home Of
the husband was blessed by the addition
of two bright and promising children.
who are now grown to womanhoOd. Az
ter a lapae of some years that grim
monster. death, claimed the husband Of
the defendant and the wife Of plaintiff as
his own. The defendant being again
alone and somewhat advanced in years.
profited by the advice of the late lament
ed, III. g. and went Wess.' arriving in
this city aome four years ago. Among
the frat persons she met on arriving
here was her long lost and long aeparat-
ed husband. Tine spark in the bosoms
of each was famed nntil il kindled to q
blaze. They were married. lived t"geth-
er about three years. took mp the old
quarrel where they left it thirty years
ago, and again have sought for relief in
q court Of equity"
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
Si:rer Fractional Currency.
Fron the New YOrx Economist


Now that she printing of paper by
the Government, designed To circulate
a. money, Inns been Discontinued, it
should never be allowed TO recommence.
Concerning fractional currency. there IL
no need to print it. Silver Is plentiful
and seeking q market. As fast "a fFac-
tional notes wear out let shem be replac-
ed by coin, and the cost of maintaining
q fractional currency will be much re-
duced. The life Of fractional note is
about two and q half years, but silver
dime or quarter will last from one to two
generations. II silver il now below the
legal standard in value as compared
with gold, the Law can be changed TO
meet the state of the market. Thus by
gradual steps we can get back to specie,
at least for small aims. This 10 the solu-
tion Of the problem which puzzles
wiseacres Just nOw-whst TO do with the
silver which Western mines are 40 fast
yielding. and which has fallen in price
because its quantity has so increased.-
Let the Mint, instead Of the Printing
Bureau, 90 on and work industriouslv.-
Il can take thirty to forty millions Of
the bullion and coin ig TO the material
benefit of the country. But the adoption
OF this measure will Be bitterly opposed
by the Treasury Ring. because they
want to keep up the large patronage of
the Printing Bureau, and because the
withdrawal Of the fractional notes would
force public admission Of the fact
well known in official circlea-thAt the
number afoat is much larger thau the
published statements show. To reach q
proper arrangement, therefore. q sharp
watch must be kept up on legislation,
and pnblic opin;oH must he positive and
emphatic, 80 as to drive q class of harp
les from power who too long have be-
trayed public trust and fattened on the
spoils which they have cravenly claimed
rs their share Of the public plunder Of
over-taxed and over-ridden people.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

A Danbury man carried home four
quarts of soft shell CLANS in an overcoAt
pocket. In the same pocket was hand
full of loose tobacco. The soft shell CLAIMS
had often heard Of the weed, Of course,
but tEis was the 6rst sample they had
seen. and by the time the man reached
home each clam had . nice guild conf
fortably rolled under Ita tongue. The
The clans were opened. and cooked,
without the family noticing the filthy
habit they had gos into. They were serv-
ed for breakfast. and were partly eaten.
The Danbury man is now convinced that
he must either end something other than
a pocket TO carry CLANS home in, or get .
wider back-door.-CD Danbury News.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

Here is q problem for shoss who are
good at figures to puzzle their brains
over. II n heller calf has heifer calf
at two years old; and one every year un-
Ill she is 81 years old, and sll her calves
and calves's calves be heifer calves and
have a calf each year after becoming
two years old, and until the original
mother Is 81, Whist will be the increass3
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

A farmer up in Maine last season fed
n squash. in the hope OF being able to
bring IL up TO 200 pounds. The feeding
was done by cutting off the vine about
six feet from the squash. and putting
the end in pan into which fresh milk
was daily poured. By this means the
vine absorbed about two quarts of milk
per day, and the squash gained about a
pound day in weight.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

Mr.. Blackboard has bean arrested in
North Carolina for not paying his debts.
Why don's his creditors sake some chalk
and draw on him.-INew York Com
mefcial Advertiser.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

II is provoking to have your overalls
made an inch too short; out perhaps
You onght not to kill your wife and
mother, knock down yonr father, and
then stab yourself to the heart on that
account, ms did Mr.. Silas Wilder, of East
Lyndon, Vermont.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

They tell ofa New Jersey man who got
a billiard ball in his mouth and couldn's
get it out. Do they play billiards with
foot balls in New Jersey?-[ Detroit Free
Press.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

Why is a mad bull nm animal Of q
conviviAl diapoaition2 Because be on
ers n horn 20 every one he meets.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17

IA dog fghs is now facesiOusly styled
an afiaire dc cur.
The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-17
THE CAUSE OF ErrDEMics

Influenza lie ushered in By q sudden
change Of che temperature and o strong
east or northeast wind. This il true Of