davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Importance of Knowing the Time.

If the standard time is important to
the man of business i'm making his ap-
pointments and regulating his affairs, to
the traveller in providing railways with
a correct time by which to govern the
movements of trains, and in general tC
every citizen in his daily occupations
on land, it is vital to the successful and
! safe navigation of the ocean. Every
ship that sails for a foreign port must
before her departure know the correction
Of her chronometers to Greenwich time
(tha is, the number of seconds they
are fast or slO,o on the time), and besides
this their rate (or the number of seconds
they daily gain or lose). Provided with
good chronOmeters and with these data
well determined, a ship sails from her
port with the power of determining on
any day her position on the earth's
surface.
A simple observation of the latitude
of the sun at noon gives, by short
computation, her latitude, and a deter
mination of the angular distance of the
sun east or west of her meridian gives
the local time. The difference of the
local time Of the ship and the Green
wich time, as shown by her chorono-
meters, gives her longitude. Latitude
and longitude being known, her place
on the chart can be put down with but
little uncertainty This is daily done,
if possible, on every one of the ships
sailing out of New York City, and on
the skill of her officers, the goodness of
her chronOmeters. and the accuracy of
their rates. depends the safety of her
passengers and cargo. To all men Of
business, then, in their appointments
and affairs on shore and in their COM
mercial ventures by sea, the fact that
standard time is easily attainable and
perfectly correct is of no slight import
ance- To travellers, whether by sea or
land, it is truly a matter of life and
death. The watches of railway en-
ployees are usually set by one clock,
but difference of one or two minutes
on a crowded road may bring about the
most fearful results, as the reports of
the various railway commissions will
show. If ship leaves New York sup
posing her chronometer which is
regulated to Greenwich time 10 be losing
two seconds day, while it is really
losing six, every day she is really about
a mile farther west than her reckoning
shows her to be, and in a voyage of a
month she will suppose herself to be too
far west by thirty miles. Such result
may be attended with the most disast-
rous consequences, and that it does not
often so result is due to the skill and
watchfulness of sea-captains, a class of
men whose vigilance and faithfulness
are too little appreciated. - Popular
Science.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27

The Oriole, which has acquired the
reputation of being a mOurnful bird, is
thus spoken of by an observer of a
domesticated specimen: "An old bird
which should happen to be trapped
would probably quit singing on being
deprived of liberty, but one caught
young and fed from the human hand
will make the most delightful and
tractable pet. and, happiest when sur
rounded by people, will sing marvell-
ously sweet notes and trills. We know
one of this sort that, when liberated
from its cage, will go to the hand of its
owner, assist in threading a needle or
ripping a seam, nestle on her shoulder,
stand on her hand, bathe in bowl of
water, and when it has had its liberty
of the premises to its hearts content, it
will go back into its cage and sing its
merry tune. 1t will eat fruit, cake,
bread and milk. potatoes and sugar,
lean meat, nuts and eggs, and is es-
pecially fond of hOuse-fiies and small
angle-wormsand insects. and will catch
anything tossed to it, just as a smart
dog will a cracker. Talk about that
bird being mourful!'
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27

something about thirty cents a yard.
Give US dove color, for doves are meek
and lovely, and so is Molly"
Twelve yards of dove colored goods
were cut off and Zeke looked around and
said:
LESS see, 1 suppose black comb.
two yards of blue ribbon, bunch of
hair pins. and two or three collars
ought to figure in somewhere"
The clerk agreed, and the articles
were figured in.
"Less see, she'll wear her sisters hat
to stand up in, and her shoes won't
show if she has long dress on. |
guess that's about all, isn't it, Molly"
The girl blushed very red, beekoned
him closer, and after a minute he turned
TO the clerk and said:
SITS kinder throwin' money away,
but she's purity, good and gentle, and l
have fifty cent corset and two pairs of
stockings"
The articles were inspected, bought
and placed with the 'trossy," and after
the lovers held another consultation in
whispers, Zeke observed:
"Well, that's all. Figger'er up aud
ther's your cash. We've got to go aud
get some hair-oil and a dollar gold
chain with locket to it, and pair of
sleeve. buttons and some shoe strings,
and you see the outfit is going to squeeze
me bad"
"When does tie marriage come OFF,"
asked the clerk.
Sin about ten days. She's good girl
and loves me, and Pm trying TO do the
fair thing by her. 'Tain't many young
men who would put up seven or eight
dollars for a bridal trossy for his girl;
but when | make up my mind to marry
any one I'm almost reckless as to wealth.
She didn't need the corset any more
than l need gallowses, but she had
sister married with corset Oh, and she
don't want to be behind her."
"I hope you'll be happy"
"We shall be-can't help it--this ere
girl can sling more thusiasm into a
mess of 'taters than any Queen in
Europe, and as fur her fried pork
yum! She can compose poetry, chop
wood, draw pictures, milk COW, build
a suit of clothes, or spell down any
body that stands on legs; and when
winter howls around our little home,
We'll set with our feet in the oven,
chew apples, and remember that had
to take her old dad by the collar and
jerk his heels to the ceiling before he'd
consent to this marriage. Well, goOdby-
Come GAL"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Social Habits of the Americans.

National habits, tastes and feelings
differ, and Americans, i'm several par
ticulars, are unlike their English rela-
tives. The Englishman is shy and ex-
elusive. He builds high wall around
his house and garden, TO keep out the
eyes of the public. The American
builds fine house and lays out a hand
some garden. that others may see and
enjoy them as well As himself. Shut i'm
and hidden, they would lose half their
value. He builds near the road, to be
better seen by the passers-by, and his
only fence is low paling, as light and
open as possible. The Englishman
likes to eat and drink i'm private-shut
up in his room or close little box.
The American prefers a large, gay
dining room, and the presence of many
guests. What has he to be ashamed of.
He wishes to see and be seen. He suns
himself in the public gaze. He enjoys
society, and enters into the life around
him. The more the merrier The
larger the hotel, the bigger the steam
boat, the more people around him, the
greater his enjoyment. On the railway
an Englishman's ideal is to be shut up
alone, or, at the most, with his little
private party. He has taken the coach
with two seats facing each other, so that
half the passengers must ride back
wards, a the model of his railway
carriage. The American prefers his
spacious and handsome ear with its fifty
passengers. He likes to walk through
the train and find some one he knows.
He is not afraid of intruding, is gregari-
ous and social-ready 10 discuss trade
or politics with a stranger without
buttoning up his pockets. He is not
afraid that some one below his rank
will claim his acquaintance. He shakes
hands with the President. and discusses
the coming election with the blacksmith
or shoemaker. He calculates to treat
every well-behaved man like a gentle |
man, and every woman is to him a lady. !
TO whom he is courteous. respectful, and |
if need he protective.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Indications of Longevity.

Hufeland, pubic lecturer at Jena,
who published work on longevity in
the last century, thus describes the sort
of man who has the best prospects of
long life: He has a well-proportioned
stature, without, however, being too
tall. He is rather of the middle size,
and somewhat thick set. His complex
ion is not too fiOrid-at any rate, too
much ruddiness in youth is seldom a
sign of longevity, Hair approaches
rather to the fair than to the black. His
skin is strong, but not rough. His head
is not too big. He has large veins at the
extremities, and his shoulders are
rather round than fiat. His neck is not
too long, his belly does not project, and
his hands are large, but not too deeply
cleft. His foot is rather thick than
long, and his legs are firm and round.
He has also broad chest and strong
voice, and the faculty of retaining his
breath for a long time without difficulty.
In general, there is complete harmony
in all his parts. His senses are good,
but not too delicate. His pulse is slow
and regular. His appetite is good and
his digestion easy. He has not too
much thirst, which is always a sign of
rapid self-consumption. His passions
never become too violent or destructive.
If he gives way too anger, he expert
ences a glow of warmth without an
overlooking of the gall. He likes EN-
ployment. particularly calm meditation
and agreeable speculations; is an Opti-
mist, friend to Nature, and domestic
felicity, has no thirst after either honors
or riches, and banishes all thought of
tomorrow.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
\ Two-Tailed Fish.

The third and most striking peculiar
ity of the young gars consisted ia the
existence of t,oo tails, an upper and q
| lower.
The formation of these two tails, and
their significance will be considered
further on; for the present we are con-
cerned with their structure, their rela-
tive position and their uses. The lower
tail was evidently the candal fin. IL
had several rays, and a rounded hinder
border. But it was smaller in propor-
tion than in the adult gar, and the mid
die rays were directed obliquely down.
ward, instead of horizontally backward.
The upper tail is best described as a
single fleshy filament, fiattened from
side to side, and tapering to a fine ex-
tremity.
In the smallest gars it was larger than
the fin below, in the older it was
shorter, while in the adults no trace of
it appears.
These two tails have very different
movements. The lower corresponding
to the candal fin of. the ordinary fish,
is used in three ways. When the little
gar is in a gentle current, and wishes
not to be carried downward, the fin is
made to execute a series of undulatory
movements, such as have been described
by Prof. Agassiz respecting the dOrsal
fin of young pipe-fishes, ETC., and such
as the writer has observed with the
dOrsal fin of AHlid.
This tail is also strongly fiexed to
one side, as with ordinary fishes, in or
der to change the course. And it is
rapidly moved from side to side for all
sudden and rapid lOcomotion, as when
frightened.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Frankness in Love.

One of the most essential things In
all love affairs is entire and perfect
frankness. Both parties should be
frank-true to themselves and truthful
to each other. How many uneasy,
troubled, and anxious minds, how
many breaking and broken hearts there
are to-day in which content and happi-
ness might have reigned supreme but
for want of frankness! Repentance in
evitably comes for all these things, but
it often comes too late, and only when
the evil produced is incurable. In love
as in everything else, truth is the
strongest of all things, and frankness
is but another name for truth. Then
always be frank. Avoid misunder-
standings; give no reason or occasion
for them. They are more easily
stunned than cured; they leave scars
upon the heart. You are less likely to
be deceived yourself when you never
deceive others. Frankness is like the
light of clear day in which everything
may be-piainiy perceived.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
What Language did Adam speak,

Professor Bush, the distinguished
Hebraist, in his "Notes on Gen. IL: /,
-"And the whole earth was of one
language and of one Speech" has the
following interesting remarks
1.-The language there spoken, there
fore, was, in all probability the Ian
guage Of Noah; and the language of
Noah can scarcely have been any other
than that of the antediluvians; and that
this was Hebrew cannot be doubted, If
we consider that the names of persons
and places mentioned in early history
of the world are as pure Hebrew as the
names Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, or
those Solomon and Malachi. Thus
Adam, Eve, Cain, Seth, Abel, Eden,
Nod, Enoch, etc., are all words of
purely Hebraie form, structure, and
Specification, and there is not the least
evidence Of their being interpretations,
as some have suggested, of primitive
terms"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Buying Bridal "Trossy."

One day last week 3 powerful young
man to whose right arm was linked a
tall, thin girl of eighteen, with sharp
nose, pale blue eyes, and hair the color
of an old knife handle, entered Lake
Avenue store store with both eyes full
of business. As the pair took seats,
the clerk intimated that he was ready
to make bottom prices on any goods in
the store, from the finest silk to the
glaciest calico.
"This is kinder delicate busines for
u.s." replied the young man, casting
sleeps eyes at the girl.
''That is to say-that is-yes, ahem ~
stammered the clerk.
"But 1 guess we'll live through it,
Molly, and so here goes. What we
want is trossy for this girl-a bridal
trossy, believe they call It."
"That's exactly what they call it, ~
replied the clerk. "And if you please
tell me what article you want, and I'll
give you the lowest figures"
Ihe pair looked at cach other in a
half foolish way for minute. and then
the girl hid her face behind stack of
goods.
"a little skeery, but she'll get over
it," mused the lover. "The first thing,
/ suppose, is dress"
"From one to sixteen dresses, as you
like," replied the clerk. "You'll take
black silk, perhaps"
Sand perhaps l won't. There's no
style about us, Mister. We marry for
love, and we've got to make little
money 60 long ways. Is calico pretty
low? ?"
"Oh! Zekeln' grasped the girl, sud-
denly showing her face.
"we'll go lettle better, then, though
calico is my motto. Hand us down
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
swearing in CromweIrs lime.

Laws against swearing were strictly
enforced during the times of the COM
monwealth, and with the largest posi-
bic Interpretation against the accused.
We are reminded of the reproof that
Sir Walter Scott put into the mouth of
CrOmwell-''Wha can it avail thee to
practice profanity so horrible to the
ears of others, and which brings no
emolument TO him who uses it?" Every
oath was counted. For a single oath
the fine was Is. Sd. but the charge was
reduced TO 3S. 4d. each Ion taking a
quantity" Humfrey Trevett. for
swearing 10 Oaths. was committed till
he payed SIS. 4d. to the poor of Hart
ford. John Huishe of Cheriton, was
convicted for swearing % oaths and two
curses at one time. and four Oaths and
one curse at another time. OF course.
the greater number of these cases were
disposed of at petty sessions without
being sent for trial. One Justice re-
turned the names of 10 persons whom
he had convicted of swearing since the
previous sessions. We are not left
without examplesof whatwas considered
swearing in those days. William Heard
ing of Chittlehampton. for saving two
several times in court Upon INV life
was adjudged TO be within the act of
swearing, for which he paid Is. Sd.
Thomas Butland was fined for swear
ing ''On my troth.' Gilbert Northcott
had 10 pay IS Id. for saying Upon
my life Thomas Courts was fined
for swearing in court .'God i my Wit
ness" and Il speak in the presence OF
God" Christopher Gill. being reproved
by Mr.. Nathaniel Durant, clerk. for
having used Gods life in discourse,
went and Informed against the minister
himself for >wearing.-EroSer' Haga-
zine.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
Cistern Water.

In our climate. where rain l. abun-
dant during considerable portion OF
the year, the water falling upon the
roof of any house, if properly collected
and stored, is ample for the whole sup
ply of the family which that roof shell
free from any impurity that can affect
its taste. and from every source of seri-
Gus fOuling, though after a long con-
tinued draught it is well to divert and
discharge upon the surface of the
ground the first ten minutes flow of a
showcase that the impurities of the
air. and the dust of the roof may be
first removed. After this first dash.
lead to the cistern all that follows.
Even with this precaution, the water
will be more agreeable for use if filtered.
There are numerous systems for max
ing filters in cisterns, but no other is
so simple, nor so durable and satisfact-
ory as the separation of that part of the
cistern from which the suction-pipe
leads by wall of brick and ce-
ment. 1t is simply necessary to build
wall of brick set on edge 1.-TWO and a
half inches thick, so as to include
about One-quarter of the area of the
bottom, slOping ii back so as to termin-
ate against the side of the cistern at a
height of from four to six feet. This
wall should be so well cemented at its
joints that water can only pass through
the material of brick, and for strength
its form should be slightly bulging. \
wall of this sort, measuring say six feet
at its base and rising to height of six
feet at its highest point, will transmit
an amount of water sufficient to supply
the demand of the most constant pump
ing that any domestic use can require
-ScFibHer
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27
AFTER.

After the showers the tranquil sun:
Silver stars when the day is done.
After the snow, the emerald leaves
After the harvest, golden sheaves-
After the clouds, the violet sky;
Quiet woods when the winds go by.
After the tempest, the lull of waves
After the battle, peaceful graves.
After the kRell, the wedding bells;
Joyful greetings. from sad farewells.
After the bud the radiant rose;
After our weeping, sweet repose.
After the burden. the blissful need:
After the furrow. the waking seed
After the fight. the downy nest
Over the shadowy river,-rest.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27

of the two widows and the subjects OF
our sketch.
Business before pleasure.
Our moral here penned.
May seem too long measure,
Ecce signum-we end.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-27

Georgia has lUO,UdO 'co.onel=.
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-08-18
Attempt to Wreck a Train.

A dastardly attempt was made TO throw
the lightning express train which leiI
this city ON Tuesday evening for vir,
einia City. from tbs track. at n poin,
between Hocklin mud Roseyille. Til,
train was proceeding along at H.
usual high rate Of speed when the engi'
neer noticed that no had struck some
thing on the track. but as the enein,
aud cars passed over IN safety he cam,
TO the conclusion that II was n low joint
on the rails. and OH arriving at Rocklii'
the conductor Of the train. Charles Allen.
so reported to the station agent. Deem.
ing the matter worthy Of attention, the
agent at ono dispatched n switch en-
CINE to look after the matter and repair
Il. On arriving at the place where the
break was reported tn be. an investiga.
ton was made. which resulted In dis
closing the fact that q railroad tie
had been placed parallel with aud
on top Of the rail on u side.
and directly opposite. on the other rail,
two fish plates, used for setting unaer
the rails at q point. had been fastened
Oh top. When the engine Of the light
ming train struck the obstruction the tie
was knocked from ita place aud thrown
into the space between the rails. and
the fish plates were cut where the train
had passed over them. Further than
making n deep cut on tho iirs.box Of the
locomotive, where the timber struck. no
damage was done to the engine. II is
suspected that parties living In the Vi.
cinity who have strong feelings against
the railroad company on account OF lis
employing Chinese. were the perpctra.
tors Of tho cowardly deed, and public
In the neighborhood Of Eocklin
is so worked up over the affair that sum-
mary punishment will 10 metsi out 10
the offenders IL they ars captured
Sdcrmenio Record. Unisa.
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-08-18
NEVADA ITEMS.

A farmer writing to the Slr,r Shats
from Paradise Valley under date 81
August 18th. says; The whole header
corps anil harvesting force Is now ia
active operation. The grain crop is tho
lightest ever harvested in the valley.
There viii not be over haif the quantity
sf barley thrsshed ms year ,hat was
last year. Ihs wheat rfop Is much
lighter THIS year nut owing 10 Tue ue'
mand Tor orsa1s'ni's ana me shor,nrs'
@ ~ 81, na;... 10, ah.,
~. ~ 80. .nJ MI, halJ ,h.ir ~hss,
-, ,ra .nJ half .sn,s ne,
'o' ~
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-08-18
CALIFORNIA ITEMS.

Tho Truekss Rspubliedn says that a
DIR. Plilsy quietly returned to Truckee.
Monday. and left with the daughter Of
Mrs. Di1son for parts unknown. II Is
rum0rsd that while attending this youni:
lady. during his short stay here. h.
gained her confidence. and, after beini.
compelled to leave the town for want Of
medical license. has retuinsi aud per.
shaded her TO dee with him. The wife
and child which he had while thoro left
tho day previous to his hasty exit. hut
for what point or for what cause va are
uniformed.
The Martinez Gazette says in tho fill
ING for the railroad bed along the deep
water where the current is swift through
the straits, u number Of carts AMI hor.
sss have accidentally backed oil the
dumps and been lost. Last Tuesday
two went OF the dump below Bull Val.
Icy. and one Of the horses was recover
cal. but Que horse AMI cart went out of
sight instantly. and nothing has since
been seen Of them.
The police Of Chico male q raid into
= China gambling cellar Thursday. and
captured nineteen men and one woman
engaged in the game Of "tan." The
descent was sc sudden that they were
caught in the full progress Of tho game.
There being therefore positive testi-
mony. the Record thinks the guilty will
be convicted.
The Chico ReconI 81 August 10 says +;
Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1877-08-18

Mn. CH,nLss p. BRowSE-othsrwiss
Artemus ward-onee wrote a bright let
tor to a little sieht.year old friend Of his
in Elmim. and the Gazette Of that town
now prints this letter for the first time.
He tells his .'dear Amelia " how much
he misses her: why didn'tI put you
In a bottle AMI bring you down with
me ?" be says : "but I'm always for
getting something. The other day I
wont Of and forgot my Aunt Sarah. and
she's a good deal bigger than you are.
Mr.. Ramsey is also a very forsetiul
man. He frequently goes Of and for
gets his washsrwoman. :
I like you very much. l should like
ysu just as we'll IL you were twelve
years older. I am very singular about
some things. You spoke to me about a
boy who Is my rival. I should feel
very sorry to kill that boy. but he may
drive me to ii. I an in hopes that he
will take himself into a premature tomb
that he may choke himself with a
large slice Of pudding-but u he does
neither. ! shall feel forced to load him
with chains aud read all my lectures to
him. That will finish him. His boots
may remain. but the rest OF him will
have psri.hed miserably long ere I have
got through"