davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
A Brilliant Students Fate.

Emil Schwerdtfeger, student in the Sc
nior class of Cornell University at Ithaca,
shot and killed himself in the residence of
Prof. Morris on the University grounds re-
Gently. Schwerdtieger, whose father lives
in Jersey City, was regarded by DIR. ]. C,
Rodrigues of New York, who was deiraying
his expenses at college, and by the profess
sors and students of the University, as a
prodigy in phiology. AT the late inter- col
legiate contest in New York he bore off
the $500 prize for the best examination in
Latin, and when he was in the Freshman
class he received the first prize offered by
the London Pathological Society for the best
essay on the English verb. His bright tai
ents made him almost the constant compan-
| ion of the professors, although he was not
over 10 years of age. His health was ex.
ceedingly poor, and his eyes were almost
| useless to him after he finished studying for
the intercollegiate prize. He was much
| depressed on account of these affections,
York physician who had been attending
him, saying that he feared he would never
be better, he was thrown into despair
His lifeless body was found in the chair
at his study table. The pistol was on the
floor. A ireshly-wrtten paper, headed
''The Last Will and Testament of Emil
Schwerdtfeger," was on the table. 1t pro-
vded that the $500 which was to his credit
in the bank should go to pay his debts and
| funeral expenses. lie expressed desire to
be cremated, but if this was not practicable
he desired to be burned in the Ithaca grave
yard. The paper also disposed of his BOOKS,
some of which he gave to the University
library and others to his benefactor. He
wrote further;
| know that this will not hold in law, but
as here are no valuables to squabble about,
| hope that all its provisions will be respect
ed. The cause of my suicide is constant
sickness and the conviction that will never
be any better in this world. No other cause
may be looked for. None exists.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
Something About Coral.

Coral is not something which is built, but
is thing which grows. 1t is simply the
skeleton of many united skeletons of po-
lyps. When the polyps die and disappear,
we see the solid coral ITSELF Polyps grow in
the most various and beautiful forms, imita-
ting almost all forms of vegetation, as lich-
ems, fungi, MOSES, ferns, herbs, shrubs and
trees. Formerly they were regarded as
plants. Their colors are as remarkable as
their forms, and some polyp communities
equal in the beauty and variety of their COL
ors the most beautiful flower gardens of the
land Hundreds of reefs and islands are
made of coral. These reefs and islands are
most abundant in the Pacific and Indian
oceans, but the islands which skirt the coast
of Florida are also of coral formation. CO.
raj reefs stretch near New Caledonia for the
distance of 400 miles, and along the coast
of Australia for 1000 miles. When reef
of coral skirts the shore it is called firing
ing reef when it is at dis''Tf, rom the
shore, barrier reef, and when it sItrounds
body of water it IS cJrl Island. All
these are the same thing under digsrent
phases of progress. Only b,ut an inch Of
the top of growing coral mass or reef is
alive; all the r,St within is d death
goes on below as fast as growth above. When
the reef reaches the surface of the wafer the
polyps die. The winds aud waves 'ls take
up the work, and at last the island IA c)ver-
ed with vegetation and become he home of
man. Coral reef, are found far in and. There
| is a vast reef near the Falls of Ohio. Coral
reefs have essentially the same comp p)sition
as marble, and it is believed by )logists
that our limestones are made out OF tie skel-
etons of polyps and of the shells of other an
imals of the sea. Aud if this be true-and
there is no doubt about it-mauy of the
rocks which underlie vast cOuntries, the
marble temples of the East, the marble mon
uments and public buildings of our country,
the mortar on the walls, and ceilings of our
dwellings, and the marble tables and man
ties so highly priced, have q come from the
skeletons of those low animals of the sea.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
Under a Lions Paw.

Yesterday morning the superintendent of
the menagere connected with Barnum's
show engaged George Marvin, IS years of
age, to do errands and odd Jobs about the
establishment. Marvin is bright-looking,
muscular youth, who says that his home has
always been at Newburgh, n. Y, but that
both of his parents being dead and having
no relatives, he left Newburgh about month
ago, since which time he has tramped it and
stolen rides on railway cars, until reaching
Detroit he saw Barnum's Circus advertised,
and concluded to wait for its coming.
On the arrival of the show he got an en-
gagement, and yesterday forenoon, in leis-
ure moment, he stood watching the keepers
as they fed the animals. The monkeys, hy-
ena, giraffe and tigers had been cared for,
and the three large lions which occupy one
cage were eating their rations when the keep
er stepped away few feet to get some water,
leaving the cage door open, and young Mar
win standing near the door. The boys Curl
osity overpowered his caution, and he climb
ed to the threshold.
Instantly one of the lions sprang at him,
putting one of his massive paws flat upon
the boys face, and closing his claws drew
him forward into the cage. Ia doing so the
beast tore the boys left cheek, from the cor
ner of his mouth nearly to hisea wide open.
Then he cuiled him with his cruel claws
upon the right side of his chin, tearing open
| the flesh in a trightful manner. All this
time the boy struggled and cried for help.
| Al the appearance Of the keeper the lion
rolled the boy upon his stomach, and with
one paw upon his back held him there help
less, all the time showing his teeth and roar
ing at the keeper, who he,tatel about en-
terng the van. 1t was only for an instant,
however, for, armed with large revolver
and whip, the keeper jumped into the
cage, and striking the beast over the nose,
caused him to retreat, releasing the boy
Young Marvin was not long in getting out
of the cage, and Immediately on his escape
tainted away and purely from right The
keeper followed him, and closing the cage
left the lion to growl out his dissatisfaction
at being thwarted
Beside the bad wounds on the boys face
his right shoulder was fcightGully lacerated,
five or six slight wounds were on his right
arm, while five large iucisions, regularly
placed ON the left side of the boys back,
plainly marked the size OF the lions paw as
he held his victim.-Detr0H Free Press.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
A Russian War Officer.

Among the officers on the Grand Dukes
staff is tall, handsome man, with 1.-THE,
slender, active figure, clear, blue eye, and
face young enough for a second lieuten-
ant. tbs Skobelef, the youngest General
in the Russian army, the conqueror of Kho.
kand. He has the reputation, even among
the Russians, of being madman, who would
fling away his own life and those of his
troops without the slightest regard for con-
sequences. During the war which resulted
in the conquest of Khokand, Russian de-
tachment of eight hundred men, with four
hundred Cossacks, was compelled to retreat
before a superior force of the enemy. Gen
eral Trotsky decided upon night attack,
and cOniided his plan to Colonel Skobelefi,
then his chief of staff The latter entered
into the idea with great enthusiasm, and
proposed to leadithe attacking column HIM
self, and to take only l50 Cossacks. Skobel-
eff having reconnoitered the ground, per-
ceived that the Khokandians had encamped
within mile and half of the Russians in
open plain, which gave every facility for
me maneuyering of cavalry. At midnight
he took his $50 Cossacks, divided them into
three parties, and cautiously surrounded the
enemy's camp. The party led by Skobelefl
himself, managed to pass the enemys out
posts who were sound asleep. Then he gave
the signal for the attack by firing his pistol
and followed by his $50 Cossacks, he rod,
headlong into the enemy's camp of 6OOO o
1000 men, shouting and yelling like fiends
and cutting down everything in their pas
sage. For aquarter of an hour the plain re
sounded with shrieks and yells, shots, tn
trampling of horses, shouts and groans, an,
all the uproar of battle, Then all was 81
lence. Skobeleff assembled his Cossack,
and when morning came he found that tn
whole army of the enemy, 5000 or 1000 me
had disappeared, leaving on the field abou
40 dead, 2O00 or 5000 muskets and sabres
all their camp material and baggage Bu
what was his astonishment on calling til
roll to discover that he had not lost a ma
either killed or wounded
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
A Vicious Fish.

Right whales frequently find their way
into the Bay of Fundy, and are there cap
tured. The bay is also favorite resort for
the thrasher and the swordfish. / have
heard old coasters say that they had seen
thrashers forty-fve and fifty feet long, NOV
ing with great velocity on the surface of the
water, their heads raised ten and twelve feet
above. Bay of Fundy fishermen, in speak
ing of them, say they are the greatest of sea
villains. Twenty odd years ago one of these
sea monsters got caught on sand ar,where
he was left by the rapid falling of the tide
in the Cumberland branch of the Bay of
Fundy, and was killed by the people on
shore after an exciting struggle. He meas
ured forty-six feet in length. As Captain
Memo says, the head is fiat and serpent-like
the eyes almost red, with ugly white circles
over them. Indeed, nothing could be more
repulsive than the head of this sea monster.
The only other sea villain they are known
to fraternize with is the swordish. Both
are well known to old coasters and fishermen
as the deadly enemy of the whale and it is
the common belief that they hunt in couples,
and on finding the whale make immediate
war, the swordfsh attacking beneath and
the thrasher on top.
The common belief is that the thrasher
has huge weapon, very like sedge ham,
mer, protruding from his mouth, with which
he administers on the whales back those
terrible blows you can hear ten or twelve
miles distant. / have myself stood on bluff
overlooking the Bay OF Fundy and witnessed
three of these terrible battles between a
whale and his enemies. the swordfsh and
the thrasher. The swordfish did his deadly
work underneath while, as Captain Memo
says, the thrasher coiled himself half over
the whale, and applied the blows with his
ponderous tail. In the distance however
the thrasher seems to raise and let fall his
weapon very much as a blacksmith's helper
handles his sledge. You could see the wea-
pom rise and fall you could hear the blows
distinctly, although the distance was believ.
ed to be not less than ten miles from shore
and you could also hear the whale below
| anu Stt ulul DlON. OH Oll6 VI IDbSb OCCd
sons the terrible contest lasted nearly three
hours, the water in the vicinity being RED
with blood. About every fifteen or twenty
minutes the whale would disappear in an
attempt to escape from his enemies; but
they would quickly pursue him and force
him to the surface, where the combat would
be renewed.
These two sea villains, the swordfish ant
thrasher, invariably kill the whale wher
they get him into close quarters and a
soon as the combat ceases, which can be
clearly seen by the whales body floating
motionless, the thrasher will proceed to clea
water, where, raising his serpent-like heaC
, in triumph, ten, twelve, and fifteen fee
above the surface, he will continue for iftee
and sometimes twenty minutes lashing thu
sea into foam.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

A FLORIDA MUNCHAUsENIsM.-A cor
respondent from Sanford, Orange county,
sends to the Savannah Ner8 the following
snake story. Those who are acquainted
with either the habits of scared lizard or
hungry coach whip snake may doubt it,
but the NeWs does not. He says "Mr.
English, an old gentleman who lives in this
county, was out hoeing one day, when he
saw coach-whip snake chasing lizard,
The scared lizard ran towards the man and
went up his pantaloons leg through the
waistband of his breeches aud out of his
shirt bosom. The snake pursued, went al
50 up the old mans pantaloons, got to the
waistband, where he was prevented from
making the trip the lizard did but as the
next best strategic movement, fell back and
went out up on the outside of the pantaloons
got on the mans shoulder, saw the lzarC
make his exit and jumped down and caugh
it. 1t was all done so quickly that Mr.. En-
glish hadn't time to get scared"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

An incident occurred during the session
of the United States District Court at Ports
mouth, the other day, which for the moment
relieved the monotony of case. Counsel
for defendant was examining witness with
the object of establishing the fact that the
defendant had been member of the State
Legislature, when his Honor observed that
it was a gratuitous statement, aud not mate
rial. Counsel-"But l think, your Honor,
it is evidence of respectablity for man TO
have been member of the Legislature of
this State" His Honor-"Hum-I have
my doubts about thatp Counsel-"I will
not press the point, your Honor"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
NapOleon's Wonderful Memory.

The Emperor Napoleon was at Erfut.
A legion Of kings and princes had come to
humble their crowns before his regent roy
atty. At one of tae soirees which he gave at
this brilliant court, the conversation turned
on an ancient pontifical bull, about the date
of which there was some doubt An Aus
trian prelate indicated period which the
Emperor contested. 81 am better informed
than your majesty on such subjects" said the
prelate, "and think | am certain of what
| state"
"And for my part" replied the Emperor,
Il do not say believe say, am certain
you are deceived. Beside, the truth may be
easily ascertained; let such work be
brought, and if am wrong l will hasten
to acknowledge it,"
The book was brought. The Emperor was
right. The whole assembly were astonished
at such an excellent memory on the part of
one whose head was constantly occupied with
other subjects.
when was lieutenant" said the en-
peror. These simple words, "when / was
Lieutenant, produced a singular effect on all
present; all the representatives of the old
monarchies looked at each other smiling.
when | had the honor to be lieutenant OF
artillery, continued the emperor in loud.
er tone, 81 remained two years in garrison
in city of Dauphiu, which had but sin,
gle circulating library. l read three time
the whole collection, and not Il word of wha
! read at that period ever escaped me. Tn,
title of the book which has just been Trough
figured on the list. read it with the rest
and, as you have seen, have never forgot
ten its contents"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

There were two of them hanging over the
front gate the other night, She was stand
ing within the yard and he on the sidewalk
outside, both leaning on the top rail, and
apparently as. happy as two pigs in corn
field. He was saying, "Now, my own little
darling, sweet idol of my soul, whose image
is ever on my heart'-when he saw the old
man coming down the front walk, and con-
tinued in different strain "The potato bugs
haven't destroyed our crops so much since
we purchased Paris green, and you will also
find that cabbages can be raised better on
richer soil" The old gentleman heard it
and turned back, saying, as he entered tn,
house, "These young people take more in
terest in agricultural affairs than people
generally suppose"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
Miscellaneous.
THE LOVERS WRATH.

Snow, girls you want any beauty sleep,
you had better 90 to bed" said Mrs. Con-
way,
Mrs. Conway's house was decorated with
festoons of evergreen studded with scarlet
berries.
The great wedding-cake, with its columns
of spun sugar and wreaths of frosted roses,
was already set in its place Of honor in the
middle of the table, and the chandelier, an
old-fashioned affair, with glistening silver
chains and pendants of cut glass, was wreath
ed with princesspine and "velvet run" for
Katie Conway was to be married the next
day.
She stood before the fire, a tall, sweet faced
girl of nineteen, her golden brown hair
coiled in ripping waves around her head,
and her large blue eyes shining like azure
jewels, while the three bridesmaids, old
school mates, who, in accordance with an
ancient compact, had been summoned to
this first wedding in their ranks, clustered
around her like maids of honor about their
queen.
"Dear me-" said Rosa Finlay, cts past
H."
"And my hair not crimped yet, " said Josey
Dale.
"And I've got the blue bows TO sew on
my white muslin Dress added Lucilla
Wharton. Goodnight, everybody"
And so the merry little group scattered to
their various rooms.
Katie Conway herself went last of all, but
she did not go Immediately to bed. Was
there not Robert Falconer's last letter to read
over, once again, in the glow of the fire
while Bessie, the maid, who was waiting tC
brush out her young lady's hair, glanced
askance at Katie's face, and thought how
nice it must be to have lover.
Suddenly Katie started up.
"How selfish am p' she said, apologet
cally. 81 forgot that Bessie was wait
ing"
And in five minutes the maid was dis
missed, and Katie was alone, with the lamI
burning softly on the table and the tireligh
glancing on the gilded arabesques of tn,
Chinese folding screen, that shut all draught
away from the hearth.
Almost at the same time Robert Falcone
just arrived in the late train, was standing
out in the frosty moonlight by the stable
yard of the "Bolton Arms" and close to hin
stood tall handsome man, leaning agains
the gate-post and smoking a cigar.
"Well," he said, airily, "ths is a sur
prise !"
81 don't see why it should be-" returne
| Falconer. 81 am to be married TO Miss Con
way tomorrow, and / decided to come o.
tonight instead of waiting for the mornin
train. l shall give them an agreeable sur
prise, and his face frightened at the though
"The wonder is that you should be here
Karll Porter"
"I?"
The young mans eyes turned evasiyel
away from the Others frank glance,
sob, we lawyers are here and there an
everywhere. Pve had libel case in ii
town, and it has brought me down occasion
ally"
"Who was that woman you were talkir
to when first came in?" careessly question
ed Falconer. "She seemed annoyed
angry"
Porter laughed again, this time more co
] strainedly than before
"It's only woman from the other end
> the town." said he. "Ive paid her pret
daughter matter au SerieuT. These cou
try people are SO desperately in earne
Here comes the hostler; now you'll
off,"
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
CHURCH DIRECTORY.
RApTIsT rUURCH


Rev. J. p Tustn, (Supply)
sunday ServIces-iO% IA. m. and GK p. IN.
Prayer Meetlng-Eyery Wednesday evening at GH
clock.
seats free. The public are invited to attend.
ST. MATTHEW'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Mlnlster-Rev. j. McCron.
sunday Servces-10k H. III. and Gi3 p. m.
sunday school-9 a. IN.
PRAYER Meellng-Eyery Wednesday evening at 6H
Seats free. Nopews rented. All are welcome.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Mlnlster-Rev. stuart Mitchell.
sunday Servlces-lO% a. IN. and 0H p. m.
sunday School-9 a. IN.
D'clocH.
seats free. No pews rented. Strangers welcome.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Presiding Elder-Rev. n. S. buckingham.
Minister-Rev. j. $. McMurrayA
sunday Servces-lO6 and 6H p. m.
SUNDAY SCHOOL, p. m.
Bible Class-Every Monday evening at 6H O'Clock.
Young Mems Prayer Meeting-Every Tuesday
General Prayer Meetlng-Every Thursday evening
o'clock.
REFORMED CHURCH.
Corner Of Third and Iron streets.
tastor-Rev G.. d. Gurley.
Itesidence-Central Hotel.
sunday serylccs-lOI9 a. IN. and p m.
sunday Schools a. IN.
prayer Meeting-Saturday, p. IN.
All are invited There is always room.
ST. PAULs CHURCH.
RectOr-Rev J.. Zahner.
Sunday Services-lOh u. m., ~ p. IN.
sunday Schools a, IN.
First Sunday In the month, Holy Communion.
Services preparatory TO Communion on Friday
evening before the ST sunday In each month.
Pews rented but everybody welcome.
EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
Presiding Elder-Rev. A. l.. Reescr.
MlniSter-Rev. j. A. Irvine.
sunday Services p. m, in the Iron street Church.
ppap Nc Of N ia M IN
All are invited. All are welcome.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Meets In 'the little Brick Church on the hill, y
known as the Welsh Baptist Church-on ROCK street
east OF Iron. ~
Regular meeting for worship, every Lords day al
ternoon at 81 O'Clock. -
Seats free and the public are cordially invited to
attend
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

A Manchester mechanic has invented a
horseshoe composed of three thicknesses of
cowhide compressed into steel mould and
then subjected to chemical preparation.
Its inventor asserts that it lasts longer than
the common shoe and weighs only one. fourth
as much never splits the hoof, and has no
other injurious influence on it requires no
calks, even on asphalt is so elastic that the
horses step is lighter and surer, and adhere,
50 closely that neither dust nor water cal
penetrate between the shoe and the hoof.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
PHYSICIANS RECOMMENDIT

Dr.. Thomas j. II. Rhoads. Boyertown, Berks CO.,
Pa, writes Your compound syrup of Wild Cherry
esteem very highly have been selling and recon
mendlng II to my patients for many years and IL al
ways proves eflCaciOus In obstinate coughs, bron-
chia and asthmatica affections. II has made some
remarkable cures in this section, and consider II
the best remedy with which am acquainted
Price ST. Six bottles for 81. II not sold by your
druggist, we win forward half dozen by express,
freight paid on receipt OF price
eS-Descrtbe symptoms IN all communications, ana
sixth Street Philadelphia. No charge viii be made
for advice. sold by druggists and dealers IN medi
Cines generally.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

THE UNDERSIGNED, representing several
OF the most conservative and reliable Ameri-
can Fire Insurance Companies would beg leave 10
offer his services to the citizens OF bloomsbury and
vicinity, requesting reasonable share OF the public
patronage. ,,,,,,rr
Bloomsbury, July Is, 1876
ONCE IN Brewers Block.
July 2l
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06

, A farm laborer near Seilhac, in France,
while ploughing somewhat deeper than usu-
al, found his plow arrested by what he
thought to be stump 1t proved to be an
OK hide filled with gold pieces of the reign
of Francis /, worth $50 GOO for their weight
alone' without reckoning their special value
as rare coins.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-06
THE COLUMBIAN
ptUMBIA DEMOCRAT STAR OF THE NORTH AND CoLu,
BIAN CONsOIIDATBD)
issued weekly, every Friday morning, at
JOB PRINTING
Columbia County Offical Directory

President Judge--Willam Elwell.
Associate Judp es-I. X. Krickbaum, +. L. Shuman.
PrOthOnotary, Sc.-B. Frank Zarr.
Court Stenogra 1her-S. N. Walker.
register & Recorder-Wiliamson II. Jacoby.
District Attorney-,John NJ, Clark,
sheriff-,John W. Hoffman.
Surveyor-lsaac Dewitt.
Treasurer-Dr. II. W. McReynolds.
C1mmssoners-John Herner, S. W. McIenry,
Joseph Sands.
Commissioners Clerk-Wllllam Krickbaum.
AudtOrs-M. V. b. Kline J. b. Casey, e. u. Brown
Coroner-Chares G.. Murphy.
Jury CommlssiOners-,Jacob II. Fritz, William II.
UT.
County perintendent-Wllliam H. Snyder.
Bloom Poor Dlstrlct-Dlrectors-O y. Ent, Scott,
VIM. Kramer, Bloomsbury and Thomas Recce,
scott, U. Z. Ent, Secretary.