davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
How Heads Came to be Cropped.

Previous to the time of Francis T. the
French mobiles had worn their hair long.
The cause of this change of fashion
forms curious chapter in the history of
modes. On the twelfth day. the court
then being at Romorantin, the king was
informed that the Comte de st. Paul,
following an ancient custom. had made
in his house king of the bean upon
which Francis gathered about him all
his couriers and informed them that he
should place himself at their head and
lay siege to the counts house to dethrone
this king. st. Paul, made aware of his
coming, prepared for his defense and
caused his people to bring within their
doors large number of snowballs, and
gathered all the apples, eggs and other
things that would serve as projectiles
they could find. The assault commenced,
but very soon the besieged had exhaust.
ed their ammunition. In the excitement
of the moment some one snatched up
burning log from the hearth and cast it
through the window. 1t fell upon the
kings head, inficting severe wound.
The phi ysician found it necessary to cut
the hair close to his head. From that
time he allowed his beard to grow. A
few weeks afterward every pretender to
fashion, whether of court or town, ap-
peared with beard and cropped head.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Calls Devotion.

A touching case of the devotion which
one dumb animal that can't talk shows
toward another came under our notice
the other day, says an exchange. A
very young calf was lying under tree
and the flies were tormenting the little
helpless being immediately, when there
came along great big, overgrown cali,
ard commenced rubbing the flies off the
little GLOSSY" with his nose. Now
there was muzzle on the big calf's
nose and thirteen sharp pointed spikes
in the muzzle. He rubbed the calf on
the back and nudged it on the head and
caressed it on the side, and every time
he did it he punched thirteen holes in
the little calf, but he didn't seem to
mind the trouble he was putting him
self to, but kept on till the infant bovine
was as full of holes as sponge. But
he kept the flies away, anyhow. We
don't know how it would have terminated
if the mother COW hadn't come along just
then and tickled the big calf in the ribs
with her horns and set him on his head
up in the fence corner, when he looked
around rather surprised like. The
owner of the little calf finished killing
it and sold the hide for sieve. There
were 1900 holes from the ear of its horn
to the hoof of its tail.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Drug That Cures BashfulneSS.

The Boston Journal of Chemistry
says: We should hardly expect to find in
the materia medica cure for bashful-
ness, but coca (or cuca, as some prefer
to call it,, which has lately attrated con-
siderable attention in professional cir
cles, is said to answer this purpose.
According to DR.. w. Tanner, whatever
may have been said from time to time
about the effects of cuca OH the human
system, this much is certain, that it
causes timid people, who are usually ill
at ease in society, and particularly so
before strangers, to appear to good adj
vantage under these circumstances. In
other words it cures bashfulness. Its
effects on depression of spirits, he says,
are what might be expected from drug
whose action is "energy-giving and
notwithstanding" He has not seen
any corresponding mental or physical
depression attending its after-effects.
Its action may be largely increased by
it with an alkali. 1t may be
that the alkali dissolves some of its ac-
tive principles that otherwise would
remain undissolved.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
How the Chinese Make Tea.

The upper classes in China. from very
long experience in the matter, select the
very choicest tea which they can afford
-Rnerally the young leaves from old
trees. A few of these leaves are put
into a cup, and water, little short of
the boiling point, is added. As soon as
it is sufficiently cool, which does not
take many seconds, for the cups are very
small, the beverage in quaffed, much
after the same manner as the Turks do
coffee, so hot that it is commonly
asserted they drink it boiling. By the
above quick method, they skim, as it
were, only the superficial flavor of the
leaf, which is very capable of yielding
up, when not required, bitter extract,
which they avoid. This is the prime
source where the FUSED leaves" spoken
of by analysts, come from.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Drawn Battle.

An Irishman made his appearance at
Mr.. Yields house the other day from the
direction of Cahuenga pass, with his
hands and stomach much lacerated and
his clothes torn to shreds. 1t appears
that he had left his lunch-basket while
seeking in some cool nook for water.
During his absence a young bear made
his appearance and at once applied him.
self to dispatching the viands. Our
friend, seeing that the bear was only
yearling, thought he would tackle him.
They took two or three rolls on the
ground with the result stated, then both
had enough of the fight and retreated
i'll opposite directions, Anaelos
CALI Herald.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Good Natured Grizzly.

Mr.. Jacob Luther, wool raiser, of
Monterey county, California, relates the
following remarkable story, illustrating
an unlooked-for popularity in the chaIac-
ter Of the grizzly bear:
"Some years ago, was informed that
grizzly was making frequent visits to
one of my sheep camps.
~ supposed, of course, his object was
mutton. Therefore, the next time I went
to that camp with supplies, took my
Henry rife. As I neared the camp
saw in the distance that grizzly ana
were making our visits simultaneously.
After allowing him time to enter the
sheep corral, went out and found him
sitting upon his launches in the center
of the corral. .
"Fear of their natural enemy had
caused the terrified sheep to crowd with
all their might against the fence, leaving
a circular patch of considerable size to
grizzly and the lambs.
"The lambs, not knowing enough to
fear the intruder, busted themselves by
skipping, playing and chasing round the
outer part of the circular patch. The
bear continued to keep his position, turn
ing his head hither and thither, watch
ing very intently all the movements of
the gleeful lambs. Having seen this
much, and fully believing that he meant
soon to take a sheep away with him, I
raised my rife, took careful aim, and
snap went the hammer. This alarmed
the bear, and, seeing me, he walked leis-
urely to the fence, jumped over, and
took to the hills; while I, Oh examining
into the queer conduct of my rifle, 1
found that it was without cartridge,
whereas I had expected there were
dozen in it. There were now in camp
no means of killing the bear, even if I
should pursue him-an act not advisable.
That the bear did no harm never entered
my mind; and after repeatedly delaying
another attempt to kill him, I asked
Weidner, the herder, about the bear.
ooh, said he, that bear is doing no
harm. He has never hurt n sheep. I
never trouble him. He only comes to
see the lambs play. He comes every
night, and often several times during the
same night Weidner also told me that
the bear continued these friendly visits
to the flock as long as month";"
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
An Early Smoker,

A remarkable illustration of the evil
effects of early tobacco smoking is
afforded by fact lately published by the
French Anti Tobacco Association. Two
twin children (boys) were growing quite
satisfactorily, and we're about four years
old, when one of them was taken i'll with
some trifing ailment. A friend of the
family, happening to see the suffering
infant, unfortunately placed in its hands
as kind of plaything lighted pipe.
The child Immediately pulled away at
the pipe, and, strange to say, appeared
to enjoy it thoroughly. The amuse-
ment soon became habit, and a neces-
sity, and the child was continually
worrying the neighbors and even
strangers in the streets to give it tobac-
co. The effect of incessant smoking on
his constitution was disastrous. While
his brother rapidly shot up into man.
hood, the premature smoker remained
stationary in his development. He is at
the present moment in reality young
man, but in appearance a puny infant,
as stunted in intelligence as he is in
stature.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Side Light.

Never face the light when at work, but
contrive to have side light, which will
not shine directly in the eyes. In the
schools in Germany this matter has
already been attended to, and the rule
adopted is to have all the seats and tables
SO arranged that the pupil never faces
the windows, but only has the side lights
from the left; and, as light simultane-
ously thrown from two sides gives an
inference of shadows, it has been strictly
forbidden to build school-rooms with
windows on both sides, such illumina-
ton having also proved injurious to the
eyes of the pupils. We may add to this
advice not to place the lamp in front of
you when at work in the evening, but
little on one side use shade--a green
one is best, as it softens the Ight-which
only the work upon which it
falls.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
The Toad.

The toad is not beautiful animal to
the eye; but he is very serviceable to the
farmer in his way, and he should be
kindly regarded. The Ohio Farmer
well remarks that the number of insects
that toad will eat is almost incredible.
A few of them in garden will keep it
we'll rid of bugs, plant-lice, etc. They
generally spend the day in some dark,
secluded spot-often hole under sod,
or clod, or the other side of rock; and
in the evening they come out and hop
about in search of supper of live in
sects. They may be induced to take up
their residence in the garden by confin-
ing them for two or three days to the
place, when they will become quite well
contented. A board laid about two
inches from the ground is just the kind
of hiding place that suits them. They
are long-lived, being often known
twelve to sixteen years old, and it is said
one lived to thirty-six years old. On
account of their propensity for destroy
ing insects, toads should be encouraged
to become permanent residents of our
fields and gardens.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Small Boy in Trouble.

"Young man, will you ever again on
courage another dog-fght9" demanded
the court Of little Joe Dayton.
"They encouraged themselves, sir !"
he sobbed.
"Didn't you help?'
~ h-helped the littlest dog, sir p
"Well, you let the dogs take care of
themselves, young man. Little dogs
must let big dogs alone if they don't want
to get hurt. You ought to have been
home saving wood"
"We-hain't-got--any! !"
"Well, working in the garden, then. !"
"We live up stairs over store, sir. !"
"Can't you find anything to dol"
eyes, sir.
"Then why don't you? ?"
"Cause I'm in here"
"Well, I'm going to let you out, and
if I hear of any more dog fights, Or boy
fights, or cat fights up your way I shall
send for YOU"
"And I'll come right d-down," gasped
Joe, as he clapped on his brimless hat
and made for the door.-Detroit Free
Press.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
Greece.

AS Greece may at any time become an
ally of Russia in the Eastern war, it is
interesting to know the strength of the
little nation. The revenue of Greece is
about So, 900, 900 year, and the debt is
already 80 large that there is but little
hope of extinguishing the principal.
The army is nominally 10000 strong,
but there are rarely more than five or
six thousand men under pay. The navy
consists of two ironclad frigates anda
few steamers and sailing vessels. Such
force could be of but slight assistance to
the Russians, while Turkish cruisers
would play havoc with the merchant
navy and the ill.fortifed seaports of
Greece.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
The Lions Bride.

With myrtle leaves crowned, for her bridal
arrayod,
The keepers fair daughter, rosy-cheeked
maid,
Trips into tho don OF the lion, who lies
At his mstross's feet, with delight in his eyes.
The king OF the forest, once tameess and wild,
But tractable grown az al innocent child
Now bends to the beauty who stands at his side,
Her fair hand careSsing his rough, tawny hide.
She says; ain the days Of our childhood, gone
by,
What romps have we had, my old friend, thou
and I!
Yet wouldst thou, in frolic, shake out thy great
name,
Those merry old playdays will come not again,
For time brings us changes, and care follows
No child, but woman, seek thee, to-day.
"Oh, were l child once again and heart
free,
I'd willingly stay, dear old fellow, with thee I;
But now must bow to husbands command,
And follow his steps to a far-distant land.
He saw me, he liked mo- and fancied me fair ;
accepted his hand-see the wreath in my hair |!
But bid the goodbye in the sorcst distress;
Bear witness, these tear-drops cannot sup
press.
"Dost thou quite understand me? Be quiet,
pray;
Don't wear such frown and don't shake in
that way,
See My bridegroom is coming to fetch me
take this
Last token OF friendship, dear fellow--a kiss"
Her tender lips touched him in kindness, and
In mighty commissions he shook the strong
den,
The bride in alarm sought to quiet his wrath.
But her power was gone, and he stood in her
path,
Defiant and angry, resistless and bold,
The fetterlcss king of the forest Of d.
Without there are cries Of distress and alarm.
The bridegroom in agony shouts, Bring an
arm.
My hand will not fail me-the monster shall
do :;
And wrath and resolve may be read in his eyes.
His poor, trembling bride seeks the iron-bound
door.
Too late! fierce leap brings her down to the
floor,
A mass of white garments bedabblod with gore
Aud when the dear blood Of his maiden was
shed,
Then low dropped the lions imperial head
Grief stricken, he laid himself down by the
bride,
The muskct shot sped to his heart and he died.
Francis A. D'virdge.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
Items OF Interest.

These fine evenings lovers sit on stoops
to conquer.
The Russians '@have been surprised"
on the Danube-at their success.
Why are troubles like babies Be-
cause they get bigger by nursing. ~
Russian agents have been purchasing
large quantities of cotton in New York.
Wringing the hands is n sign Of sor-
row, but ringing the fingers is a sign Of
joy. .....
The word Bible comes from bi6l0s, the
name of the reed of which paper was an
GENTLY made.
The area under wheat in Great Britain
was twenty-five per cent. less in 1876
than in 1860.
A shower of frogs about the size Of flies
has been recent distraction in the coun.
try about Petersburg, Virginia.
A German literary man says that in
America thieves are 80 scarce that re-
wards are offered for them.
Cats are worth fifty cents apiece in
Sidney, Nebraska. A wagon load is be-
ing collected there for the Black Hills.
James Williams, day laborer in
Shrewsbury, Vermont, is said to have
received bequest of 81, 900, 900 from a
relative in England.
Harvest wages are $3.50 to $500 per
day in Missouri and $500 to $3.50 in ILL
nois, and the demand for hands far ex-
ceeds the number desiring work.
Chicago's new directory shows total
population of 521, 941, being 1856 in
excess of the population of st. Louis as
indicated by her last city directory.
There is n good deal said about
women's love of dress, but we believe
none of them are so much bound up in
their clothes as the Egyptian mummies
are.
she is man after my own heart,
pa" said Julia, reverting to her Charles
Augustus. Nonsense" replied old
Practical; "he is a man after the money
your uncle left you." And then all was
quiet.
John Horn, Jr., of Detroit, who has
saved 131 persons from drowning, was
presented by his fellow-citizens with
gold watch and chain worth $518. This
gentleman is evidently not the article re-
ferred to as Horn too many.
The prisoners in a Louisiana jail began
to sing hymns SO vigorously few even
ings ago that suspicion was excited,
and an investigation showed that they
had raised the iron plating of the floor
and were nearly ready to escape.
She had just returned from visit to
married couple, and, as she threw her
hat on the sofa, she turned up her nose,
put on a look of disgust, and said: eff
there is anything on this earth that is
hateful, it is to see married people kiss
ing and hugging and gushing before
Folks." Her little brother crawled out
from under the table, where he had been
hunting stray marble, and ad lressing
MS sister. said: You and George is all
The time kissing each other before me
out you isn't married yet, and then I
suppose I'm too small to be folks" That
Joy told another little boy next morning
hat it wasn't always sign when your
'ar burned that somebody was talking
bout you.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Mail Carriers Fight for Life.

A writer who dates his letter from the
military camp ON the Tongue river says /:
On the eighteenth the mail carrier be-
tween Tongue river and Fort Buford
came in without his mail and with tale
of suffering very seldom heard, even
out here. While on his way he dis.
covered eight Indians coming toward
him. Giving his pony the spur and
urging the two lead ponies along, he
tried to reach one Of the rocky ravines to
escape, but the Indians observed his
design and cut him off from his retreat.
The first pony was shot from under him,
and the second was instantly mounted
and new direction taken. The Indians
shot his second pony. Then he mount.
ed the one which carried the mail bags
and ut stiff trot started straight for the
savages. When within a few yards of
them he discharged his pistol and shot
one. Then he broke through their lines
and tried again to gain the cover of the
ravine. His last and remaining pony
was shot, and leaving the mail he sue
ceeded in hiding himself in clump of
sage brush. There he remained all day,
blistering in the boiling sun, and dur
ing the night made his escape, arriving
at our camp very nearly starved to death,
not having eaten for two days. His con-
dition bore evidence of his fearful trial.
His moccasins were completely worn
away from travelling sixty miles on foot.
His feet were blistered, cracked and
bleeding. His clothing was covered
with thorns of prickly pears and torn by
contact with the brush and with crawl
ing along on his hands and knees. Gen
eral Sturgis sent Company d, under
of Captain Godfrey,::to the
scene of the outrage. Seven Indians
we're seen at distance, but were not
followed, and the command returned to
camp without scalps Or mail. They saw
The dead ponies and marks from the
Indian.
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
How 10 Deal with Tramps.

The tramp, nuisance which few
years ago was almost as unknown in this
country Us the potato bug, has again ap.
peared, and, like the bug, chooses the
most fertile regions for his ravages.
Quite number of outrages and depre-
dations have been reported, and it is GER
tain that unless strong repressive
measures are at once taken the disgrace.
full scenes of the past two Or three years
will be repeated in our rural districts this
summer. An indication of what may be
expected is found in the assaults on farm
houses, the insults to unprotected wo-
men, and in the murder of child re-
Gently in Pennsylvania. When the tramp
first appeared he was not understood,
and was supposed to be deserving OBJ
ject of charity-a poor man unable to
find work in the cities and seeking honest
employmentin the country. Kind-hearted
farmers wives looked upon him with COM
passion, gave him food and sometimes
money to help him on his way. But as
the beggars became prosperous they
grew proud, and found that to ask was
easier than to earn. Tramping became
rs fashionable with this insolent class as
pedestrian tours are with young gentle
men. The lazzaroni of the city, who hve
by theft and aims during the winter, find
it profitable to their pockets and condu-
Give to their health to practice the same
arts in the country during the summer.
They are organized now and have made
tramping one of the fixed sciences.
When it has reached this stage we know
how to deal with it, for the evil has de-
veloped into n tangible form. 1t is no
longer to be dealt with by individuals,
but to be suppressed by the united efforts
of communities. Instead of arresting
now and then the tramp who robs
house, insults woman, or commits a
murder, society should array itself against
the system which makes such crimes
common. 1t should deal directly with
the cause and not merely with the effects.
The citizens of every county where the
tramp has become nuisance and danger
should take measures to make him wish
he had never entered it. Whenever the
bully and beggar makes his appearance
he should be put to work, the greatest
punishment he could suffer. If he COM
mits crime he should receive the fullest
penalty the law allows. Should this
method be adopted and enforced with
severity by the officials of
every county it would not be long before
these bands of outlaws-for they are
nothing less-would discover that rob-
berry under the disguise of beggary is a
business even more intolerable than legit-
innate wOrk.-Ne,O York Herald,
Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-28
A Hidden Melody.

CLARA Louise Kellogg writes in Scrib-
ner's Magazine Several years ago,
when the troupe of Japanese iugglers
were in New York, 1 happened to remain
in town late in the season, and attended
number of the remarkable entertain
ments given by them at the Academy of
Music. The only drawback to my enjoy
ment of their wonderful feats with lad
der, pole, tubs, butterflies, etc.-and
especially those of little Albright and
his father-was the exceedingly harsh
and disagreeable noise made by the
Japanese orchestra, consisting of five
performers seated on the floor at the rear
of the stage. But one night, after hay
ing attended these entertainments ten or
twelve times, L made what was to me q
most curious and interesting discovery.
At the moment when little Albright
was performing on the pole, which was
supported in socket attached to belt
around his fathers waist, in the midst of
the strange sounds made both by the
orchestra and by the man himself, who
was coolly playing on a samiseng"
while balancing the boy in mid-air, I
suddenly noticed melody, at first indis-
tinct, but afterward assuming definite
shape as was able to shut out the dis
cordant accompaniment. After listening
during several performances, 1
at last succeeded in following the air and
in getting it by heart. Once after this,
when little Albright came to see me,
with the interpreter of the troupe, I took
his foretinger in my hand and made him
play the melody on the piano. He re-
it at once, although separated
from the dreadful sounds he was accus-
toned to hear with it, and cried out de-
in japanese "Oh, that is
what my father plays when am up on
the pole |"