davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
, 1877-07-27
Feelings of a Mad Dog.

1t is no pleasure to dog to go mad
Dreadful as hydrophobia is to the human
being, rabies is worse to the dog. Ii
makes its approach more gradually; il
lasts longer, and it is more intense while
it endures. The dog that is going mad
| feels unwell for long time prior to the
| full development of the disease. He is
very ill, but does not know what ails him.
He. feels dissatisfied with everything,
vexed without reason, and, greatly
against his better nature, snappish. Feel
ing thus, he longs to avoid all ANNOYANCE
by being alone. The sensation induces
him to seek solitude. The light inflicts
upon him intense agony. This induces
hlm to find out the holes and corners
where he is least likely to be noticed.
If his retreat be discovered, and the mas
ter's voice bids him come forth, he leaves
his hiding place, anxious to obey the
loved authority; but, before he has gone
half the distance, kind of sensation
comes over him which produces an in
stantaneOus change in his whole appear
ance. He suddenly darts back into his
dark corner. If let alone, there he will
remain, drinking great deal of water,
but not seeking food. His appetites are
altered. Hair, straw, dirt, filth, rags,
stones-the most noisome substance the
poor dog longs to swallow, in hopes to
ease burning stomach. He is now al
together changed. Still, he does not de-
sire to bite mankind he rather endeavors
to avoid society. He takes long journeys
to vent his restless desire for motion.
He does not walk, he does not run. He
proceeds in a kind of trot. His eyes do
not glare or stare, but are dull and re-
tracted. His tongue hangs dry from his
open mouth, from which there drops no
foam. He cannot stay to bite. If, new
ertheless, anything oppose his progress,
he will, as ifby impulse, snap-as a man,
in a similar state, might strike, and tell
the person "to get out the way" If he
return home from these excursions, be
seeks the darkness. His thirst increases,
but with it comes swelling of the throat.
He will plunge his head into water, but
not drop can he swallow. The throat
is enlarged, so that nothing can pass.
His state of suffering is pitiable. He flies
at and pulls to pieces, anything within
his reach. He emits the most hideous
cries. The noise he makes is incessant
and peculiar. 1t begins as a bark; is
quickly changed to howl, which is sud-
denly cut short in the middle; and so the
poor wretch at last falls, fairly worn out
by the terrible disease.-N. 2. IHustrated
Weekly.
, 1877-07-27
Temporary Stars.

Every one has seen in works on astron-
omy the account of the famous temporary
star of 1879, which appeared during the
month of November in the constellation
of Cassiopeia, all Of whose phases were
observed by Tycho Brahe. Its extraor-
dinary scintillation; its brightness, equal
ing and surprising Vega, Jupiter, Sirius,
and even Venus when in quadrature, so
that it was visible at high noon finally,
its sudden diminution and disappearance
after seventeen months of visibility, all
cOnspired to give to this star an extraor-
dinary celebrity.
In 1900 a new star appeared in the
Swan, and was studied by Kepler then
it disappeared in 1921, was again visible
in 1855, and at sundry times afterward /;
it is still visible.
Thirty years after the disappearance of
the new star in Cassiopeia appeared the
star in Serpentarius discovered by Bru-
nowski in October, 1904, and which had
for its observer and historian the great
Kepler. 1t was visible for eighteen
months, and, while it did not equal in
brightness the star of 1879, it surpassed
the stars of first magnitude, and even
Jupiter itself
In 1870 9 third temporary star was dis
covered by the Carthusian Anthelme, in
that part of the constellation of the Fox
which is nearest to Boa of the Swan.
At the time of its apparition, or rather
of its discovery, June goth, it was of the
third magnitude. About August 10th it
was only of the fifth magnitude, and three
months later it disappeared, reappearing
on March II, 1871, with the Iustre of a
star of the fourth magnitude. The tenn
porary stars of 1879 and 1904 had directed
the attention of astronomers to the vari-
ableness of the light of stars; and already,
in 1850, Bouillaud had approximately de-
termined the period of Mira Ceti, or the
star in the constellation of the Whale.
Cassini, who observed sensible variations
in the star of the Fox, supposed that its
period could be fixed at ten months; but
It was sought for in vain in February,
1872; it did not reappear till the end Of
March, being at that time Of the sixth
magnitude; then it disappeared once
more, and has since never been SEEM
Popular Science Monthly.
, 1877-07-27

consuming their own smoke; but, as a
matter of fact, the Old Religionists are so
particular in this respect that there are
special traktirs, or tea-houses, exclusively
kept for them. and where the fragrant
weed and the 'pipe of peace are rigidly
tahoocd. Yet these queer folk are only a
few degrees more behind the age than
most other children of the Gar, and prob
ably several generations will have to elapse
before Russia better deserves to be called
a civilized nation than that Turkey whose
harharism she dcnounces, and is endeav
oring to make the preteXt of war of
ambition.-Home Journal.
, 1877-07-27
The Baby Monkey.

The baby monkey at Barnum's show is
by no means pretty baby; it looks as if
it might be its own grandfather, having
all the wrinkles aud dignity of a cente-
marian its stomach is blue, and its legs
as thin as q hens forehead; but neverthe-
less it is very dear to the old lady, whose
treatment of the little infant is an unfail-
ing source of amusement and delight to
the female portion of the audience. Sat-
urday afternoon the ladies stood four deep
in front of this picture of domestic felicity
and maternal love, and begged in the most
imploring manner for "just few min
utes longer" when the time for closing
the cage arrived. One old lady with gold
bowed spectscles nearly choked with the
excess of her amazement and delight,
when for some particular astonishing feat
of precautiousness, either the turning of
a somersault or the chewing of straw,
the admiring parent grabbed at her little
one, held him a moment at arms length,
looked proudly into his little wrinkled,
weazen face, and then, with q positive
cry of love and affection, clasped him in
her arms and covered his little skinny
head with smacking kisses. Another ex-
tremely interesting episode was the solici-
tude of the anxious mother for her infant
during his attempt to cat q peanut. Just
as long as she could endure the spectacle
she watched the little one, breathless, aud
then, drawing him gently to her embrace,
cautiously pried the nut out of its tiny
mouth, chewed it up fine in her own, and
upon her open paw again offered it to
him after which she looked out at the
admiring ladies, as much as if to say,
"Could you do more than that 3"-Nes0
York World.
, 1877-07-27

SPECIE PAYMENTS. = The Journals
Washington correspondent says the action
taken by Sec'y Sherman last week with
respect to the purchase of gold with ~
per cent. bonds, for the purpose of facilitat-
ing specie payment, leaves no doubt as to
the policy he intends to pursue. The pur-
chase of 81, ,O00, 900 of gold, it can be stated
upon the most excellent authority, was the
first step toward the accumulation of .
fund of $1O0, 900, 900 in gold or legal tend
ers, or both, as acondition precedentto the
resumption of specie payment Jan. 1879.
Secretary Sherman considers that this plan
is not only authorized but is directed by
the Resumption act, of which he himself
is the author. At that time there will be
at least three hundred millions outstand-
ing, and Secretary Sherman does not think
that it would be practical to commence.
resumption with less than one hundred
millions. There is no doubt thathis pol
icy will be that of accumulating this
amount of gold or legal tender, or both,
between now and that date.
, 1877-07-27
The Leaves Sweet Secret.

Have YOU ever caught the secret
Which the leaves for ever sing,
Through each balmy day Of summer,
When the birds are on the wing:
Have you listened to their language,
And their laughter, soft and sweet?
Have you watched their shining glances
Through the noontide glowing heat
Oh! they make such merry music,
Gayly dancing in the breeze,
Every tiny leaf a-tremble
On the solemn old oak trees,
That you know some happy secret
Must have stirred each winsome elf
To those bursts Of fairy laughter,
And you fairly laugh yourself!
Up and down they dance and culver,
Back and forth they sing in glee,
While the whistling winds still louder
Pipe their merry minstrelsy,
All along the woodland borders,
Past the reapers and their sheaves,
Still the ripping music greets you,
Ofthe laughter Of the leaves.
Ali 'tis sure some lovers secret
Which they whisper day by day;
Never ceasing, never firing
OF the old and happy lay.
Merry song and merry singers,
Merry hearts where love is king,
Every summer brings new lovers,
Every year fresh leaves to sing.
, 1877-07-27

THE SIMPLE SEcRET.-Twenty clerks
in warehouse-twenty hands in q print
ing ofice-twenty young men in viii
lage. All want to get along in the world,
and all expect to do 90. One of the
clerks will rise to be q partner, and
make fortune. One of the compositors
will own q newspaper, and become q
prosperous and influential citizen. One
Of the apprentices will become q master
builder. One of the villagers will get q
handsome farm, and live like patriarch.
But which is destined to be the lucky in
dividual9 Luckyi There is no luck
about it. The thing is almost as certain
as a rule Of three. The young fellow who
will distance his competitors is he who
masters his business, who preserves his
integrity, who lives clearly and purely,
who never gets in debt, who gains
friends by deserving them, and puts his
money in a savings bank. There are
some ways to fortune that look shorter
than this old, dusty highway; but the
staunch men of the community, the men
who achieve something really worth hav-
ing, good fortune, good name, and q
serene old age, all 60 this road.
, 1877-07-27

RECENT EVENT AT AN HOTEL.-"Who's
therep There was no answer, and the
queer noise stopped. anybody there9'
No answer. at must have been spirit" {"
he taid to himself. 1 must be medium.
l will try. Aloud "If there is a spirit
in this room, it will signify the same by
saying ay-no, that's not what mean. If
there is a spirit in the room, it will please
rap three times" Three very distinct raps
were given in the direction of the bureau.
ais it in the spirit of my sisterl" No an
swer. "Is it in the spirit of my mother3"
Three raps. "Are you happy3" Nine raps.
"Do you want anythingi" A succession
of very loud rsps. "Will you give me any
communication if get up7" No answer.
"Shall hear from you tomorrow Raps
very loud in the direction of the door.
'Shall ever see youl" He waited long
for an answer to his last question, but
none came. The spirit had gone; and,
after thinking about the extraordinary
visit, he turned over and fell asleep. On
getting up in the morning he found. that
the spirit of his mother had carried of his
watch and purse, his trousers, and his great
coat down stairs in the hall.
, 1877-07-27

STRATEGY BRUTALLY MURDERED.-"I
don't cost you much, little hubby, do IG'
asked she, tenderly pstting his chin.
'Please say DON'T" continued she, win
somely laying her little cheek against his.
"Wal, aw.-a-of course you don't cost
me anything, darling" }" replied he, hesitat-
inQly, and with visions of new silk dresses
in his eyes, "but"-
"But what9" asked she.
"Oh, nothing, nothing" was his hurried
answer, "only l was going to say
"Say whati" demanded the little lady.
"Why," said he, confusedly, ,"why say
say that though you don't cost me m--much
to speak of, y-your clothes do, nightly N
She stopped patting the brute'S chin.
, 1877-07-27

A MINISTER was told once by a man
that he had been professor of religion
for many years, but for ten years had
neglected all religious duties and not
withstanding this he had never given up
his "hope." The reverend gentleman
noticing meanwhile that his breath
smelled strongly of liquor, lost no time
in telling him it was time he did. He
did not set much value upon a hope
that had been preserved in whiskey for
ten years.
, 1877-07-27

A MONUMENT to the memory of Con-
federats soldiers at Shepherdstown, Nd,
which was dedicated q few days ago,
bears the inscription 1--WE lie here in
obedience to the command of our Sovsr-
ei0n States,n
, 1877-07-27

"YoU go to shecaggo, heyl" said a
gentleman from Germany. "Vell, you pc
bretty garful about dat water dere. Eff
you dond want to ket seek, you trinke node
of dat water dill you ket used to him.
Rochester Democrat
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
The Use of Leaves.

"When the cold weather comes the leaves
have done all they've got to do-they're no
longer of any use"
"But, my dear child, do you know what
is the use of leaves!"
"Why, to be sure, to make the trees look
pretty, and to give US shade when we're hot"
"Why, dear, these are but two of the uses
The great God who made them, together
with every thing else, both in heaven and
earth, has intended them to serve other pur-
poses as well. As for giving US shade when
we are hot, only one kind of leaf would have
been able to do that as well as great many.
But God loves to give US pleasant as we'll as
useful things, and SO he gave to the leaves OF
different trees all sorts of various forms and
colors. But what wanted to explain to you
was that tree cannot live without leaves.
In the spring the sap which the root draws
out of the ground spreads itself into the
leaves. There, by the help of the sun and
the air, the sap goes through process which
I'm afraid 1 can't make you understand now,
but which makes it able to feed the trunk,
and the branches with the juices they need
for growing and spreading.
"After some time the little thread-like
passages along which the sap runs become
closed, and cannot any longer do the work
of spreading it through the tree. The burn
ing sun dries them up still more, and when
the cold weather comes they are already
dead and fall off themselves from the branch
es. How wonderful Gods works are Are
they not? Truly, the more we know of
them the more we want to know; as it says
in the Psalm, The works of the Lord are
great, sought out of all of them that have
pleasure therein.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Pillaging the Palace.

Among the curious pieces of information
which the telegraph brings, is the statement
that Victor Emanuel has stationed strong
guard around the Vatican to prevent pillage
by the populace, as soon as it is known that
the Pope is dead. There are many instances
on record where such precautions were una
vailing. PillagiDg the palaces of ecclesias-
tics, at their death, was very common prac-
tice in the Middle Ages. Many of the can
ons of the Provincial Councils in France are
directed against this practice practice
which, for centuries, was stronger than the
canons. The accumulations of the Bishops
were considered the perquisites of the people.
Often not piece of furniture was left in the
palace. 1t may have been popular device
to get even with these Princes of the Church,
who had SO little respect for the property Of
others; or, inasmuch as it was claimed that
all the property of the Church was held for
the good Of the people, they may have
thought that the death of Bishop was a
good opportunity to realize q dividend.-S
W. Presbyterian.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
How to Amuse Younger Children.

But it is not always the baby you are
called to amuse. There are such members
of society as six-year-olds as l painfully
know, for such an one has just laid his head
on the pillow in the room across the hail.
The six-year- ODDS have such life and spirits
they can run US grown people off our feet,
and race us out of breath, and call for stories
till ones brains give out, worse than with
making conversation for room full of COM
pany. l have to devise and search and con-
trive to be good company for those lively
wits and limbs asleep there on mammals bed,
after days tramp following hunting par
ty, half way to Mamaroneck and over by the
beach dinnerless, but for some apples he found
in the wood. A square of silver perforated
board and a worsted needle full of pink re-
phyr used to keep the little fingers busy, on
rainy days, and you will find that children
four years old can work their patterns for
shaving. case or match Lighter, with great
satisfaction, particularly if it is to be a
"s'prise" for somebody at Christmas. That
same small boy rips most of his mothers old
seams for her, and never was known to cut
a stitch, or to grumble over the work if he
could have cheerful talk thrown in.
Children like to BE- useful, and feel that
they are accomplishing something, and they
can do more than We suppose, if they only
have somebody to work with them. So find
something for your little folks to do, if it is
picking up apples or pulling weeds with you,
or folding newspapers, or picking and she'll
ing peas and berries, or the currants for cake
They have sense enough for it, only you must
not keep them long at one thing, unless of
their own accord. Twenty minutes is long
time for them to work, and you will be wise
in suggesting something new as soon as the
signs of WEAKNESS begin. Always give them
a little task, however, that they must finish,
and put them on their pride about it, so that
they will learn steadinesS by degrees.
Then do let them play. If they are noisy
and troublesome turn them out-of. doors, and
let them romp. They need not be rude if
they do romp. Saving wood, by crossing the
wrists and taking hands, and drawing them
back and forth, or wringing the dish-cloth,
with arms over head, as every child knows,
is fun, but bean,bags are, perhaps, the best
fun for small people. They can catch bag
better than ball, and it does not give such
hard knocks. Dressing up in cooked hat,
sash and epaulettes cut out of newspapers,
has all the delight of masquerade to the
small fry. l know of nothing so absolutely
exciting as painting small faces with colored
crayons, with cast-Of ROSTERS feather in
the hair, shawl for blanket, and playing
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Ice-H0uses.

Ice will keep as well above the surface as
if stored underground. If the soil on which
you build your ice-house is gravelly and pc.
rous no drainage will be necessary if not,
secure good drainage, taking care that the
air does not reach the ice through the drain.
Pack the ice closely and ELL in with tan bark
or sawdust on all sides; cover the top for a
depth of two feet with the same material
ventilate from the top, 80 that the air does
not pass through the ice. The best floor for
an ice-house is of planks laid upon sleepers
bedded in gravel Top ventilation may be
secured by means of cupola in the roof
The evaporation from the surface of the COW
ering that ID caused by the currents of air
passing over it, cools it and prevents mildew.
A writer says: "My ice-houSe is built en-
tirely on the surface of the ground. The
only drainage is the natural slope of the sur
face, which is about one foot in six. 1t is
fourteen rect square on the outside, and the
posts are ten feet high. The walls are double,
with eight.inch space filled with tan bark
The roof is also double. Inside and outside
covering hemlock. 1 first spread three or
four inches of gravel on the ground, then ten
inches of sawdust. I pack sawdust between
the ice and wall, and cover it foot deep on
top. The north gable end of the house is
open al the while for ventilation. The ice
wastes but trihe."
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

try they wished him to go to. Tom listened
with delight, and inwardly smiled at the sur
prise he would give them.
"Of course" said one of the firm, you
should have the situation, if you could only
speak French but as you cannot we shall
have to employ some one else. Very sorry
Great pity" etc.
"Well," said Tom, cit can't be helped !;
and there is no time, suppose, to study now;
so must just do the best | can. Mr. lou
sette, shall you and l have little chat! and
perhaps may pass muster
Mr.. Toutette and Tom entered into an an
mated conversation, very much to the sur
prise of all present, which having been kept
up in double quick time for some fifteen min
utes, Mr.. Toutette very candidly told his
partners that Tom was fully competent for
the place.
Tom was great favorite, and the firm were
heartily glad that he was capable of holding
the situation; and he was instructed to pre-
pare himself for departure by the next
steamer.
Tom now returned to his friend, who met
him with right good " Ha ha ha!"
"Well, Tom, no use; told you 80.
"Ah," replied Tom, "yOu are out this
time. My French has been approved of, and
am done here-I sail in the next steamer. "
"You don't say SO But, Tom, when did
you learn French ?"
"When you were teaching GrottO.
A new light flashed across the vision OF
Grottos master.
'"What said he, "whilst was fooling
over that dog, were you studying"
"Just so; and you now know with what
success our time has been rewarded"
By the judicious disposal of time, one
young man was on the high road to mercan'
tile fame and fortune, whilst by throwing
away time, another, equal in abilities, was
doomed to drudgery and clerkship all his
days.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
rathqaakss sa american Volcano.

An unusually mild autumn is signalized at
its clo@ by three severe earthquake shocks.
These shocks have been felt in the East, in
the West, and in the South. Commenting
upon them, the Chicago Evening Journal
makes the following interesting statement
about the recent active condition of little
known Volcano in Nebraska:
The latest earthquake shocks which espe-
cially affected Western Iowa, and were still
sharper in Northeastern Nebraska and South
western Dakota, bring to mind the fact that
the Ionia volcano" known to few scien-
tific investigators of the West, as existing in
the high bluffs near the little village of Ionia,
in Northeastern Nebraska, is directly in the
centre of the area traversed by the earth
quake vibrations of Thursday noon. The
little fre-mount has at times, in the memory
of Indian and white settlers, put on all the
airs of an embryonic but ambitious volcano.
From out the seams or assures in the bluffs
in that locality have come vapors, heat, and
rumbline sounds. No snow could long &C
cumulate in winter in close proximity to this
place, since the heat of the ground would
melt it, and springs of water running from
the side of the bluff have been made too warm
for drinking uses. Being in retired spot,
miles away from any line of travel, on the
west bank of the Missouri river, in blufy
region, the little volcano has attracted the
attention of only few of those who make
such subjects study, and hence is not men,
toned, as we believe, in any of the works of
geography or geology. The occurrence of
the earthquake, with its key or centre at the
Ionia volcano, makes worthy of remark the
fact that for few months past this little
American Vesuvius has been unusually &C.
tive. Its vapors have arisen almost constant
ly, and for the first time since white men
have viewed its action these vapors have been
easily distinguishable for dozen or more
miles away.