davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Holiday Scenes in Australia.

With us and with European Chris tians Christmas is the great winter holi- day. In the north it is winter of snow andice at the best, giving perhaps skat- ing and sleighing, but sometimes, in the perversity of weather's whims, giving us slosh and mire. Itis rather a season in all parts of in door festivity. If we rebel at this state of affairs, we may perhaps be consoled by our pictures of Christmas in Australia. Are we willing to eX- change our Christmas, with all its dis advantages, our ice and snow, our cosy, warm rooms, and hearty, vigorous frames, we'll toned by exercise, for the heat and the lassitudes, the exhaustion and utter pail of all things that are the attendants of fierce midsummer's sun If not, let us be content and take the goods the gods provide, and take them, with thankfulness not murmuring.
 An Australian Christmas falls in the summer. While our boys are amusing themselves with sleds and skates, their Australian cousins are seeking luXu- rious swim or bath in the river or sea l; Whilewe drive OverrOads crisp andspark- lingwith frozen snow, our friends in Australia rattle along, amid dust and heat, to reach their hosts house, over heated and overdone; or, if not blessed with drag, and fortune always acting as drag on him, our friend at the antipodes has to walk, how vigorously he uses his handkerchief to mop or fan!
 No wintry landscape greets the eye. It is dog-days. There is no fear there of every breath of heavens air. The doors are wide, and windows open, to catch every breeze, and ice is appreci- ated as an article for indoor, not for outdoor use.
 It is picture to study, for though all, in a general way, know the difference of climate, how strange the result is when picturesquely brought home to us!
 But the heart is not affected by travel, and the great day of home rejoicing is celebrated in far-off Australia as with us; with joy among the children-mOre sober but deeper, in the aged. In the cottage of the herdsmen, in the miners camp, as in the cities that have sprung up and grown so wonderfully, it is still Christmas; the churches thronged and decorated; greeting from friendly lips :; wishes in which we join the wide world round for peace, health and plenty in the coming year.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
The Art of Shifting.

We may venture to make few Sug- gestions in behalf of those who desire to acquire the art. If you are a lawyer, whenever the name of a very celebrated member of the bar is mentioned, you must immediately hint that that lawyer is overrated, and that MT. So-and-so, of whom you must be sure your audience has never heard, is really a "strong man." If yon are an artist, you can say of some other artist that he is very good fellow but what pity he can't paint; or if the other artist understands tone and you do not, then you can say that ''tone" nowadays is "tobacco' and ''lamp-black." If you are poet, you can do nothing more to the point, in the presence OfyOung persons, than to men, tion in confidence, and with depreca- tory air, that your verses on Nova Zem- bla, containing that simile of the lily and the bear, were printed six months before TennysOn's famous ode contain ing exactly the same simile. If you are a man of science, you will gain great reputation by merely shrugging your shoulders at the mention of some famous specialist. The method will work admirably in the medical, or in any of the learned professions. But if you are not a writer, or professional man of any kind, but merely person tion by many not costly devices. If an engraving or photograph is shown you, cover part of the picture with two fin gers of your right hand, and say that it is very well-all but that. If it is too large to treat in this way, stand at the proper distance, shut one eye and hold finger or two at arms length, first perpendicularly then horizontally, so as to hide now one and now another part of the painting after the manner of some artists. When you have done this you can either say that the picture is good, or that it is bad; but remember that you'll gain more credit by giving an opinion opposite to that which you suspect is held by the persons present. If you go to public entertainment, like Dickens reading, or a Beethoven sym phony, do not fail to report that you had to knock your feet against the chair to keep awake, ,-although in the case of the symphony be careful not to lay the blame upon the composer, but upon whatever orchestra that may happen to render the piece that night. But if you suspect that the music was particularly we'll rendered it will be we'll to declare that it was altogether too well played, and that for your part you prefer to hear Beethoven given by the - So- ciety; where ''everything isn't cut and dried, and something's left to the imag- ination. ."-Scribner.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Printing and Journalism in China.

A Chinese printing office is a greater curiosity than would think. The alpha bet numbers way into the thousands, and a cap and lower-case goes all the way round the inside of a two-stOry building and half way up the roof. It takes an apprentice 30 years to learn the case, and then he has to use a step ladder to get at the higher branches. A case was pied once in Canton, and it took five days to remove the type from the form of the foreman. They pune tuate wherever they can drop a dot, without regard to the prospective. When the editor coins word the printer whittles out new character with his jack-knife. The journeymen set by the square foot, and never belong to a union. They do their press-work by hand, and use boxing gloves to ink the type. They have one paper in the Elm -pire ,000 years old, and the bound vol umes half fill pagoda. It is rumored that Bennett has started to edit that venerable paper. The editors head is responsible for all items published in the paper, and is taken off whenever an article of news is published. Not an editor has been beheaded in China for the last 500 years. The Chinese have just invented 35-cylinder press for printing tea-chests, with which they are able to print one week
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Great Men Love Animals.

Some of the greatest men known in history have been distinguished for affection for animals. Alexander the Great took extreme care of his war horse Bucephalus, which he had con- quered by kindness, and gave him a magnificent sepulchre when he died. Once, too, when the Athenians were compelled to embark themselves and their wives and children on their fleet, and leave their beautiful city to be de- stroyed by the Persians, a poor dog, which had been left behind, swan out after the ship containing his master until he expired, exhausted, in the sea. Even the Athenian generals were touched by such devotion, and buried him on promontory known for centu- ries after as Dogs Tomb.
 In later days, it would be remem- bered that the wonderful novelist, Sir Walter Scott, the Wizard of the North, said he always wrote best when his pets were about him. Byron commem- orated his Newfoundland as his truest friend. Washington himself loved his hounds and his horses, and Jefferson, it was said, would become angry unless his servants groomed his saddle horse so carefully that white handkerchief could be rubbed upon his skin without showing trace of dirt or dust.
 There were many other cases in his tory where the distinguished men of the dignity to be kind to animals, and there were some, too, where. those cruel in this respect had been embalmed in in fanny. One of the most cruel of the Roman emperors, Domitian, would be contemptible forever for his brutality to flies. He would amuse himself for hours in his palace catching these little insects and tearing them to pieces, and even his own people scorned him fol such miserable barbarity. One day a courier asked if the emperor was alone and another answered.
 "Yes; not even fly is with him."
 This was centuries ago and yet the poor insects hand down the meanness o1 their tormentor in history. Another instance from the past, but of more agreeable nature, might be related.
 Many hundred years before the birth of Christ, Ulysses, the King of Ithica. started with his army for the siege ot Troy, and was absent ten long years be- fore the city was taken. On his return his fleet was wrecked and his army de- stroyed, and after many wanderings he came into his kingdom a mere beggar Neither his wife nor his son, nor any o1 the old courtiers and servants recognized him. He was stranger in his owl home, and his palace was filled witf usurpers who would have murdered him if they had known he was the king But one friend knew him and was faith full to the last. In front of the palace gate, neglected by the servants, and SC
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Old Egypt.

A correspondent writing to the Rome Courier from Cairo, Egypt, gives the following interesting points:
 Heliopolis lies six or seven miles north of Cairo. The obelisk of Helio- polls is almost the only thing to mark the site of that learned and cultured city. It stands in the middle of field we'll preserved hieroglyphics, the his tory of it's erection by Osirtasen H., four thousand nine hundred and forty years ago-five hundred years before Abraham visited Egypt!
 As stood knee deep in the luxuriant dark green wheat, which promises forty bushels to the acre, few thoughts sug- gested themselves: The land is not fresh land-far from it; it is very old as old as the hills. For five thousand years-and 1 do not know how much longer-it has been in cultivation, yielding heavy crops of wheat, barley and corn; and it is still friable, mellow and rich.
 But, to return: Near the obelisk was the celebrated Temple of the Sun, whose priests taught philosophy and astronomy to the world. Plato lived here thirteen years under their tuition. Joseph's father-in-law was at one time the high priest; and, later, Moses played around their grounds as school boy! Over these identical fields roamed the Hebrews In search of stubble to make bricks, after the taskmasters, by command of Pharaoh, had refused to furnish straw.
 Afew hundred yards from the obelisk, standing by the roadside, is an old syca- more fig tree. It is bent and wrinkled and venerable with age. Under it's spreading branches, according to Egyp- tian tradition, the Virgin rested one hot summers day, during the flight into Egypt. A rich Copt has enclosed it to protect it from mutilation by visitors and has planted garden around it.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
The Traveller in the Snow.

A traveller was crossing mountain height alone, over almost untrodden snows. Warming had been given him that if slumber pressed down upon his weary eyelids, they would inevitably be sealed in death. For time he went bravely along his path. But with the deepening shade and freezing blast of night, there fell weight upon his brain and eyes which seemed to be irresisti- ble. In vain he tried to reason with himself; in vain he strained his utmost energies to shake off that fatal heavi- ness At this crisis of his fate his foot struck against a heap that lay across his path. No stone was that, although no stone could be colder. or more life less. He stopped to touch it, and found a human body half buried beneath a fresh drift of snow. The next moment the traveller had taken brother in his arms and was chating his hands, and chest, and brow; breathing upon the stiff, cold lips the warm breath of a liv- ing soul; pressing the silent heart to the beating puleses of his own generous bosom.
 The effort to save another had brought back to himself life, and warmth, and energy. He was man again, instead of weak creature succumbing to de- spairing helplessness, dropping down in dreamless sleep to die. "'He saved a brother, and was saved himself. '- English Hedrths and English Homes.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Great Wealth A Great MOckery.

If you are ever tempted to purchase a very large pear, decline the invest ment or reckon upon disappointment. You will probably find it woolly, al most tastless, and more like turnip than pear. We know, for we have made the experiment. in the land where the gigantic pears are grown. Over grown fruits never seem to us to have the delicate sweetness which may be found in those of the usual dimensions. What is gained in quantity is more than lost in quality. In the same manner great wealth, great honor, and great rank generally turn out to be great shams. Besides the counteracting in- fuences of great care and great temp tatiOn, there is the inevitable satiety in too mnch of anything. which soon ren- ders it tasteless. For sweetness prefer competence to enormous fortune, the esteem of a few to the homage of 8 multitude, and qulet condition to 8 position of eminence and splendor. There is more flavor in enough than in too much. Solomon's proverb bids us prefer the dinner of herbs eaten in peace to the stalled OK consumed amid contentious; and his remark is the more practical when we consider how often the fat OK seems of necessity to involve contention, while the herbs are not thought to be worth fighting over. He chose wisely who said; "Give me neither poverty nor riches." He took the smaller and the sweeter pear. After all, it is better to have no choice, but leave it all with our Heavenly Father. -SpurgeOn.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Wime.

The wine of the ancients was grape juice boiled down till only treacle-like syrup remained, and to be drunk was mixed with water. It was unfermen- ted, unintoxicating. Homer writes: "Maronea wine requires twenty waters ere it could be drunk" Aristotle says it was Ca concrete mass,' reduced to a paste and cut with knife. Cato says "The coan wine was firm and knotty'' the exact description of grape sugar in old raisins. Virgil writes of "cleav- ing the coagulated wine with hatchets, ; the syrup having candied. He writes of c.na .frmissa. Ovid speaks of "wine in lumps." Pliny and others write of "wine only dissolvable in hot water, D of wine like honey" Plhtarch writes of wine as 'thick, firm, solid, sugary." J. Mackenzie, D. D.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
IN THE NEST.

Gather them close to your loving heart
 Cradle them on your breast They will soon enough leave your breeding care,
 Soon enough mount youths topmost stair Little ones in the nest. Fret not that the childrens hearts are gay,
 That their restless feet will run; There may come time in the by and by When you'll sit in your lonely room and sigh,
 For 8 sound of childish fun; When you'll long for a repetition sweet That sounded through each room, Of Mother !' ''Mother!" the dear love calls, That will echo long in the silent halls,
 And add to their stately gloom. There may come time when you'll long to
 The eager, boyish tread, The tuneless whistle, the clear, shrill shout, The busy hustle in and out,
 And pattering overhead. When the boys and girls are all grown up
 And scattered far and wide, Or gone to the undiscovered shore, Where youth and age come nevermore.
 You will miss them from your side. Then gather them close to your loving heart.
 Cradle them on your breast They will soon enough leave your breeding care,
 Soon enough mount youths topmost stair Little ones in the nest
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18

don't care; but this know-you never shall look upon my face again."
 And he rushed down stairs, three steps at time, capsizing the cat and nearly overturning the parlor maid.
 Ethel gave shriek.
 Reuben! Dear Reuben, come back" she cried hysterically. "Only hear mel"
 "Who is it, dearR Is it an escaped madman9" asked Mrs. Captain Carver, the guest.
 MT. Merritield wasn't quite certain, on emerging into the open air, whether he should go and drown himself or purchase three cents worth of strych- nIne at the nearest drug store. But on sober second thought. he concluded to do neither until he had had nights sleep upon it
 "How have been deceived in that girlr' said he to himself. Plates and furies! what an escape J have had, but shall carry bruised and wounded heart to my grave-that is, if don't conclude to put an end to my blighted CdkccI hU OuCos
 He was breeding darkly over his prospects, at about eight o'clock in the evening, when knock came to the door.
 "NOt at home, DobsOn-not at home to any body!" he cried out, over the bannisters; but it was too late-Ethel Parker was sobbing in his arms, with her two sisters, Bertha and Hattie, in the backgrOund.
 Serpent in too fair shape," he ut tered tragically, "go to your Dick"
 "But I can't, Reuben, dearest" whimpered Ethel. "Dick is canary bird."
 "A canary birdr'
 "Yes, Reuben, nothing on earth but my canary bird. He has been sick, and Mrs. Captain Carver has been keeping him for me. You won't be jealous of my poor little canary, Reuben, will you!
 And then MT. Merrifeld was glan that he had not drowned himself. or made the use of stomach pump neces- sary with strychnine or laudanum. He looked little foolish, but not half so foolish as he felt.
 "Give me kiss Ethel" said he. "No, I'll not be jealous."
 And the wedding took place, after all, in spite of "Dick."
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
The Medicine of Sunshine.

The world wants more sunshine in it's business, in it's charities, in it's theo- logy. For ten thousand of the aches and pains and irritations of men and women we recommend sunshine.-It soothes better than morphine. It stim- ulates better than champagne. It is the best plaster for wound. The good Samaritan poured out into the fallen travellers gash more of this than wine and oil. Florence Nightingale used it on Crimean battle-ields. Take it into all the valleys, on board all the ships, by all the sick-beds. Not a phial full, not cup full, nor a decanter full, but a soul full. It is good for spleen, for liver complaint, for neuralgia, for rheu- matism, for falling fortunes, for mel ancholy. We suspect that heaven it. self is only more sunshine.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18

"You did noble act," she said. F'John, never gave you credit for such disinterested courage. Will you forgive me?''
 "Oh! don't mention it," returned Bramwell. "I did what any man should have done, nothing more. l assure you 1 claim no merit for it, and really l don't wish to think of it, for it reminds me what hideous sight must present; {; pray let us drop the subject," and he turned away his head, as if to conceal his features.
 "John Bramwell," said Miss Marley, moving her chair nearer to his side, s'there was a time when you loved me you told me SO, and believed you. Do you love me still?"
 "Spare me, spare me, Mary" he ex- claimed. ''I know too well that the dream cherished has faded. In those days hoped to win you, but now" aud he laughed bitterly-"I entertain no such hope. I am not quite so pre- sumptuous and silly as that"
 "You have not answered my ques- tion, Presumed Miss Marley. s'I ask you plainly whether you love me or not?"
 "You know love you," returned Bramwell, "and, Heaven help me, I shall never love another"
 "Then, John Bramwell, swear to you that whenever you ask me to be your wife, will answer you yes. Yes, yes, thousand times yes, John Bram- we'll. You were handsome man, but your beauty did not, could not, win my love. Yet now, as you stand here be- fore me, scared and disfigured, you are dearer to me hundred timef more than you ever could have been in the day of your beauty. John, love you with as true an affection as woman ever bore man."
 For moment Bramwell was so over- powered that he could not speak. At length he said, "Mary, think of the sac rifice you would make. Don't allow a sentiment of pity to prompt you to throw yourself away upon one whose face may, by and by, become repulsive to you. It would not be generous in me to take advantage of your noble offer, unless you have thought we'll upon it.
 Mary put her handkerchief to her eyes. "I thought you loved me-" she sobbed.
 That same moment she was in John Bramwell's embrace. "And so do, my darling," he replied, covering her face with passionate kisses. "Hol ho! what does this mean ?" cried Mrs. Marley, entering the room and assuming surprise.
 "It means,'' replied Bramwell, lead- ing Mary to the good lady's side, "that when every one else would have turned away from my ugly face, Mary has con- sented to look upon it henceforth as my wife.''
 The old-fashioned kiss that Mrs. Mar ley gave Bramwell's scared cheek could have been heard all over the house.
 "Come to dinner, children," she cried, as she linked her arm in -Bram- wells and with Mary on the other side, they escorted him to the most welcome dinner he ever ate. Mary Marley never regretted her choice.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
Listening to Evil Reports.

The longer live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rule which have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. 1. To hear as little as possible whatever IS to the prejudice of others. ?. To believe nothing of the kind till I am abse- lutely forced to it. 3. Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an evil report. 4. Always to moderate, as far as eau, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. 5. Always to believe that, if the other side was heard, very different account would be given of the matter.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18
MAN, CONN.,, FRIDAY, MAY IS, 1877.

worn out with age and bad treatment that he could hardly move lay the kings dog Argus. At once he recognized his master, and in attempting to drag him. self to those beloved feet aud caress those long-absent hands, the faithful hound expired.
 Homer, the greatest of all poets, who tells the story, says the stern eyes ot the royal warrior were mOistened and his heartswelled at this devotion.
Connecticut western news., 1877-05-18

-Russia's public debt is estimated at f250, ,962, ,O00 sterling.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-13
General News.
PEN HOLDER.

1t is proposed to bridge the Bosphorus at Con.
stantinople, at a cost of So, 100000
The clergy of Philadelphia are still assailing
the managers of the Permanent Exhibition for
opening the show on Sunday.
A bunch of grapes from the mammoth grape
vine of Santa Barbara is on exhibition at San
Francisco. 1t is three feet long and six in crcum-
ference, and weighs l25 pounds.
The Omaha (Neb.l Republican asserts that
resolution offered in the republican convention In
that (Douglas) county, indorsing President Hayes
and Senator Saunders, was laughed at and unani-
mously voted down.
A cohee-house on wheels is the latest thing on
New York streets. coffee-pot with lamp un.
der it, and showcase filled with cakes. COMPLETES
the outfit. "Cofee, three cents q CUP" i, the
sign hung over all.
The Imperial residence at Kioto, Japan, which
has preserved its original character for thousand
years. is about to be reduced in size. several build.
ings leveled, and flower gardens in foreign style
planted on their site.
A democratic politician who sued the Springfield
l1ll.) Journal for S., 900 damages for calling bin
40 intolerable nuisance, has been given by an ap.
apprecative jury verdict for one cent. Ever
this the paper refuses to pay, and 1t threatens to
appeal the case.