davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
Amateur Observations Of The November
MetcOrS.

On the 18th and 18th days of Novem-
Der, the earth makes its annual passage
through the second of the great meteor
belts which interesect its orbit The
thickness of this belt ut its thickest part
is estimated by Prof. Proctor at some
100000 miles, and it is supposed that
the denser portion of the system or
gem of the meteor ring" contains at
least one hundred thousand million
meteors. These however, Herschel has
calculated to be extremely small, rarely
exceeding few ounces in weight. 1t
has further been determined that the
November meteors mostly radiate from
the constellation Leo, and the aphelion
planet Uranus,
Late investigations have pointed to
the identity Of the orbit of some of the
comets with the orbits of different
groups of metcors. The path of the
moteors, for example, which are usually
seen from August to II, comedies with
the bright comet of 1862, and both Pet
crs and Schiparelli independently dis
covered some time ago that Temples
comet of lS66--a body visible only with
the telescopc--has elements which may
be regarded rs absolutely Identical with
those of the November belt, 1t is not
definitely known, however, what CON
ucctiOn exists between the comets and
the metcors. though ii appears that the
latter have paths II. eccentric rs those
of the cometic orbits, and hence 1t Is
deduced that the earth encounters no
less than 56 meteor systems, thus af-
fordmg proof that the total number of
these systems in the universe must be
estimated by billions.
1t will readily be seen that Il know-
edge of the elements of the paths de-
scrlbed by the meteors Is OF consdera-
bic astronomical importance, While, as
already stated, the general direction or
radiation is from the constellation Leo,
1t has been observed that often on the
same night many distinct centers of ra-
diation may be traced. 1t Is by the de-
termination of these centerS that the
elements above referred to may be cal
culatcd. Then by comparing the re-
suits with the elements of the orbits OF
known comets, it becomes possible to
discover which comets, by rupture, ac-
cordng to one theory, probably gave
rise to the various groups of shooting
stars. Hence observations made with
the naked eye, which fix the exact point
in the heavens whence the meteors APP
pear to radiate, may prove OF value.
1t is necessary first to note the region
of the heavens whence the meteors APP
pear, and then to observe especially
those bodies which seem to have the
shortest trajecories. These VIII, OF
course, be the ones nearest the center OF
radiation. and in this way the location
of the latter can be quite accurately
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
A Dog. q Man and a Mule.
Atlanta Constitution.


A North Carolina WAGNER sold his
dog to a Laurens county man the other
day for half a barrel of sorghum syrup.
The dog, however, refused to be sold and
took refuge under the wagon. The
Laurens county man crawled after him
with piece OF meat in one hand and q
rope in the other Although there were
several spectators of the scene that en-
sued it is difficult to get at the facts. All
agree that there was scutile under the
wagon, accompanied by yelps and yells
but no one is willing to affirm that the
man had the dog or the dog had the
man. Finally, the dog, as it would
seem, brushed up against the hind legs
of the of mule, and then all was still
1t is not certain what killed the dog.
One of the spectators said he thought
he heard "a trace-chain rattle, but when
he went round to examine the mule she
was asleep. The man had lost his hat,
his coat and the greater part of his
trousers, and subsequent examination
proved that the dog died with one ear
and a handful of hair in his mouth.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31

miscreant connects telephone with
one of the countless telegraphic wires
that pass over the roofs of this city
there will be an immediate end of all
privacy. Whatever is said in the Sc
crecy Of the back piazza by youthful
students of the satellites Of Mars will
be proclaimed by way Of the house-top
to the eayesdropping telephone opera
tor. No matter to what extent man
may close his doors and windows, and
Theoretically seal his key-holes and
furnace-registers with towels and blan-
kcts, whatever he may say, either to
himself or companion. will be over
heard. Absolute silence will be ou
only safety Conversation will be car
ried ON exclusively in writing, and court
ship will be conducted by the use of a
system of ingenious symbols. An in
vention which thus mentally makes
silence the sole condition of safety can
not be too severely denounced, and
while violence, even in self-defense is
always to be deprecated, there can be
but little doubt that the death of the
inventors and manufacturers Of the tel
ephone would do much toward creating
that feeling of confidence which fnan-
ciers tell us must precede any revival of
business.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
GREETING SHERMAN.
The Veteran and his staff out Of Kid
Gloves.
Omaha Herald

General w r. Sherman passed
through this city on his way to the
east yesterday afternoon, accompanied
by Generals Poe and Bacon, Of his staff.
He was met at the depot ON his arrival
in the L. p train, by Adutant General
Williams, and most Of the army officers
quartercd at this point Mrs. General
Hawkins, Mrs. General King, and other
ladies, Mayor Wilbur, and many citizens
also greeted him.
The general and the members of his
staff bore upon their persons the marks
of hard work ON the plains, and were in
no danger Of being mistaken for kid
gloved soldiers" Their uniforms were
on the whole hardly in condition for
dress parade, and one Of the staff had on
his shoulder, in place ofshouldcr straps,
II nice opening, which would serve to
keep up ventilation. General Shcr-
mans toilette included that unpreten-
tlous checked shirt, and he might read
lily have been taken for track boss"
The train remained at the depot for
some time, and the hearty reception
which the general was given by all
classes of our citizens was good indica-
ton of the estimate in which he is held
here, among those who have had the
best opportunity Of knowing him and
Judging of his military operations in
connection with the Indian troubles.
There is no doubt that he has the best
executive ability Of any military man in
tins country.
The general occupied the forward di-
vision Of handsome Pullman, and
was evidently receiving from the L. T.
company the attention due to his rank
and reputation, although it is question
able if he felt really rs much at home
as when roughing it with the army
on the plains. When the first rush was
over, the general received his visitors in
side the Pullman.
The party left for Washington last
evening, going 10y way of the Southern
route and st. Louis. Mrs. General
Hawkins, going east on a visit, became
one of the party from this point
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31

determined Look also for "A pale light
something similar to the aurora. which
Is often present about the radiating
point 1t is also useful to note the color
and brilliancy of the meteors. The lat
ter may be estimated by comparison
with Jupiter and Venus, the brilliancy
of these planets being taken as the
maximum. If the meteors leave a trail
behind them. note the fact, and also
observe how long the trail remains Wis
ible after the star disappears, also
whether it has any backward motion
A field glass may be advantageously
employed to recognize any special
peculiarities of the trail.
These observation, if carefully made,
will be acceptable at any astronomical
observatory Meteors also appear from
the 9th to the 29th of November, and
from the 9th to the 18th of December,
but not in such numbers as upon the
above mentioned dates.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
AN IMMENSE PURCHASE.
The Pennsylvania r. r. 60. Buys the
Empire Transportation Line.-.The
Price Paid. and Vast Extent of the
Posse siODs.
New York Times,

New York Times,
The stockholders of the Empire Trans
portation company held their final
meeting here to-day, and ratified the
contract for the purchase of their entire
property by the Pennsylvania Railroad
company, for the sum of $4,6O0,0OO, of
which s., 100000 is in cash, and 81, 100,-
OOOin bonds secured upon the property
of the corporation selling out After
paying for numerous incidentals which
do not appear in the list, the whole
amount to be given out by the
Pennsylvania company will foot up not
less than S5,0OO,OOO A strange feature
connected with this purchase is that
while it is protested that it will bring
money to the Golfers of the Pennsvl-
vania company, the stock Of that road
is deprecated 81 per share to-day, and
closed weak at 29l with further pros
poets of decline. The object Of the
purchase is not so much to obtain pos
session Of the immense business of the
transportation company as it is to have
complete control Of the oil trade of
Pennsylvania, which now falls into the
hands of the Pennsylvania railroad,
they holding the leases of all the roads
tapping the oil regions except the New
York Il Erie, and may even be able to
bother that road considerably The
business of the corporation selling is
conducted through system of rail
transportation known as ,the Empne
line and the Green line, through lake
fleet and group Of elevators known as
the Anchor line, and through system
of pipe line ramifying the entire oil
regions of Pennsylvania and New York.
The total net freight rates collected last
year, less the amounts paid over to the
railroads for freights, amounted to 49,,
81, 265.36 The reason given for the
sale is that the peculiar condition of the
oil trade into which that business has
driltcd, makes it imperative for the
Empire company To engage in the pur-
chase and selling Of oil. To continue
this policy successfully it is held to be
necessary to enlargcs the company and
increase the capital. This is the preteXt
given in the annual report. The com
pany has been in operation for some
twelve years, and the stock is chiefly
owned by parties connected with the
Pennsylvania railroad company. At
the meeting to-day, Mr., John A. Wright,
one of the Pennsylvania company di-
rectors, presided. BY other contracts,
the Pennsylvania company becomes
possessed of stock in the Some & Flem-
ing manufacturing company, the Phila-
delphia refining company the empire
pipe line, and the Oleon petroleum
company, Of New York This evening
the new purchasers commenced pay
ment ofthe $500, 900 in cash, by hand
ing over to the stockholders certified
checks for the pro rata shares III the
grand dividend.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
CircaSsian Wolves.

AT Wildln was treated to my first
sight of the now idely-celebrated Cir
cassian cavalry, several bodies having
joined the camp only few days pre-
viously. They are mostly tall and
broad-shouldered, with "A. fierce express
sion in their eyes, giving them more the
appearance of savages than civilized
men. Their dress is Il long, course frock
girdled at the waist, and fur caps. They
are to be used, suppose, as skirmish-
ers, or what we call in America bush
wf#ckers," and woe to the defensless
villages upon which these Circassians
descend! They are border-warfarers of
the most blood-thirsty kind, and before
them the Bashi-Bazouks are dainty
gentlemen. They are not yet aroused
To great enthusiasm, but when the red
fires of war are fairly kindled along the
Danube, and the clash of arms begins
to horrify the now peaceful atmosphere
then beware of the CircasSan wolves,
whom the taste of blood is said TO render
frantic And, if the true story of the
conflict is ever told, nothing in all the
bloody annals of history will, | am con
tident, ever equal ii in cruelty and saw
agencSS
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
Lazy Russian Generals.

Bucharest Correspondence London Times
The chief Russian Generals and theii
staff do not keep enough to the front u
be thoroughly informed of what Is acl-
ually going on at any particular mo
ment. This is not the result OF any de
sire to avoid danger, but proceeds SIM
ply from unwillingness and not beng
accustomed to move on horsepaCh
There are too many easy Carriages
around the different headquarters. a
stranger visiting the armies III buiSali"
would naturally conclude Mat there Wa
an Emperor with each army corps.
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31

We claim 10 be the author of " That
Bow of Mine. - Whitehall Times
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31
Good Temper.

The experience of lifetime teaches
most people that the most desirable
quality humanity can possess is good
temper. How much influence is there
not in one of those bright, cheerful,
wholesome tempcrs which neither
make troubles where they do not exist,
nor meet them halfway when they do.
Where others might be incliued.to fret
pcevishly over this petty annoyance and
that small trial, the good-tempcred per
son makes light of the one, and bears
with patience what cannot be denied of
the other. Is the dinner late, and
found to he badly cooked when it is
served? Good temper makes kindly eX-
cuses for the one, and covers the more
glariug evidences of the other. 1t oX-
erts itself too, for the entertainment of
fellow sutlcrcrs--tclIs its best anecdotes,
launches into its lovcliest chat, to di-
vert attention and give other causes for
thought: and so lead the rest over the
bad half-hour which otherwise would
have thrown every one ont OF gear, and
make the best of all that WAS less than
good. The ill.tempered one of the
party, on the contrary, makes bad
worse 10y grumbling all through the
meal 1T everything alike. How much
misery may Il bad temper cause, Of
fence taken ut airy nothingS, impotence
under unavoidable worries. small things
made into great ones by the magnifymg
I powers of suspicion, sullennesS, irrita-
biHty, i'll humor-who can say that this
/ has no influence? You might as
we'll deny the singing power of a nudge
or the penetrating quality Of dust rs
. deny the depressing effect of i'll humor
wherever it is found, and the CORES
ponding good Influence of sweet temper.
\ san Francisco doctor has 81 IN onyx
Snutl-boN lined with gold, and bearing
on the lid Il wonderful mosaic repre-
senting miniature landscape three
'mcheS long and an inch and half wide,
and consisting of 5000 pieces Of stone.
They are SO small and are put together
SO artiStically that the general effect is
that of Il delicately tiniShcdepicture OF.
ivory. The box is said TO have been
presented by the Empress Josephine to
her surgeon, whose grandson in Paris
gave 1t TO the present owner.
There is one good thing about Satan.
remarked a Detroiter the other day.
" He never weighs the driver rs he sends
out his coal. IRE Press
Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-10-31

There Is one good thing about Satan,
remarked Detroiter the other day.
He never weighs the driver rs he sends
out his coal "-fTes Press.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30

Hudson tho Delaware Lackawanna and
Western tho New Jersey Central, the Le-
high Valley, and the Reading. AS long as
the market would take all the coal the six
companies could produce, things won't on
well enough. They all made more or less
money, and were contcntcd. But as soon as
business became duh and the demand for
coal slackenod, there was trouble. Each
company wanted to sell its whole product,
and to do this began to put down its prices
Consequently none of them are now earning
enough to pay their expenses and fixed
charges, and there Is no prospect of an inn
provcmcnt
The result of the contest in both cases,
unless the general business OF the country
rcgains its former volume, it Is easyto fore
see. If there is only railroad traffic enough
to employ two railroads, it will go to the
two which can do ii the cheapest and pay
their way. The other three must give up
the struggle and rest content with their local
business, which competition does not
AFFECT. Tho evil day may be postponed,
but it cannot be finally avoided. 1t
and the Pennsylvania roads with their
connections can transport freight and pas
scngcrs between the West and the Last
and make ever SO little money at rates at
which their rivals cannot pay transporta-
ton expenses their getting tho whole Of
such traffic is only a question Of time. In
like manner If the Reading and the Della
ware Lackawanna and Western Coal Com
panics can furnish all the coal the market
wants prices which wllnotcnablc thcothcr
companies to mine and deliver it, they will
get the trade. and their competitors will have
to stop working. The laws Of commerce are
as memorable a. the laws Of gravltation, and
as certainly as water runs down hill, il left to
itself, 30 certainly will the lowest prices at
tract the most customers, and business
done at a loss result in financial ruin.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30

The Judicial Committee Of the Privy COun-
ell, the highest ecclesiastical appellate court
in England, has just given its final and de-
cisve Judgment in case Of the greatest
interest and Importance to all members
Of the Established Church. This Is the
FUlkestone Ritual case, prosecution
instituted against the Rev CHARLES RrDs-
DALE, the curato Of st. Peters, Folkcstouc,
for certain ritualistic practices. 1t came be-
fore the committee of the Prvy Council in
the form Of an appeal from n decree Of the
Court Of Arches against the curate. He
had been prosecuted for wearing during
the holy communion the vcstmcnts known
as an alb and a chasublc; for facing to the
east during the prayer Of conservation in
the communion service, so that the congrc-
cation could not soc him break the bread;
for the use Of wafer bread in the holy COM
munion; and for placing n oruciilx on the
top of the screen which separates the chan
eel from the nave Of he church.
Tho appellate tribunal was constituted Of
ten judges beside tho Episcopal assessors
tho Archbishop Ct Canterbury and the
Bishops of Chichester, st. Asaph, Ely and
st. David's; and their unanimous judgment
was rendered by Lord Chancellor CAIRNS.
!. IS HioSV eNii"u7,i'c anu careful review
% inc ecc'.s'"s''cal Ia" On lho questions
mN"Neu' y" ol'lli'h Il cNpress'u rs 20 lhc
NeS'ureS proper 10 De worn Dy bishops hut
inc use oil inc nlp ana cope uy lhc parochiai
elels! Is ios'NNe'y coh0eiAhed' Inc Oin"-
uleh'9 h"pIlc "i 4o'-' IL Is heI'' ull not re-
po"4 inc "iuer az 10 'lo Nes.ures Vl nuns
.eI7 III ''lo ADMINISTRATION oil inc cohiihuh-
ION e7''O li7hou Dy queen ELlHAbEIh BOOK
ot A"NuIu.soih'n's' "nlch oiuer hau Deel
ON7'' ca 'N'"ue "o"1 .Hp N"utV" u Lls ''H'
i'""i l9'o 70 '"o "''"e h'''i''uu' anu "s"'l
Aonl ,'i' i'o9'oi"''ou 10 AoO-, ne uipNVr'
anu '''' su'ln'' "'''''' - i9unu 10 o' 'i'p
pi"i'' N'7'"Ie le'lu'''u anu l'eiini''eu .!
"M io' ''''' ''''',''i' 'i f''9'""
Nv p'7 l'''' W 'i,' v'''S' nun uu'' nE INC
,'""l"'"n " ''o n''! communion II 10 -.
''' '''''''' .'' '''. '""' 'V"' US VI
'.' '''''"' ''' j" Wv ''. W
''''- .''''''''7 ~ "'' s'''"', !" '''' ID
'".' "'. ~, '' "'', 90 '''.." "' Jus
PO'N' '"e ''. 1t vac W ~" e"9. 81 ''S'" van
occur No"i0i' III ..' A'''''7' TIE n"''H -
','0 'i'! lo.,' u V.' V'"'i",9 n'''''o"'u'
'''v Nuns ,,i "''nS ''''o'''' v',i'i
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30
Fletcher IIarpcr.

Mr.. FLETCHER HARPER, the last OF tho
original four brothers who founded the great
publishing house in Pearl street, died in this
city yesterday at the ago of G5. lie had for
some time been sufferer from Bright's dis
case OF the kidneys, and since the death Of
his brother, Mr.. JOHN HARPER, which oc-
Cured about two years ago, he had taken
but little part in tho active management Of
the house. In point Of character, Judgment,
and practical talents he was an eXtraor-
binary man. Indeed, we have always sup
posed him to be by far the ablcst Of the four
brothers In many respects; and yet the pow
crs Of his mind were not SO conspicuous as
the amiablc and engaging qualities Of his
heart. He was one of the trucst, most kindly
and most generous Of men, as faithful in
every social duty as in the discharge Of his
business obligations. In public and even in
business affairs his 1rmucss seemed some
times pass beyond the limits Of virtue
and to become obstnacy; but in all private
relations this quality was tempered with so
much gcntlcncss and so much solid wisdom
that no one ever imputed it TO him as a fault
Those who knew him best will part from him
with the deepest regret His death leaves
an immense gap in the ranks Of our older
mcrchauts
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30

marble, was calling roll which had been
previously made up in the Custom House |;
and Gen. SHARPE was bulldozing around tho
hall to see that every man whom they"
had elected to the convention, or had pur-
chased since they got there, was earning
his wages.
Now it may be that preaching a fresh
sermon on civil service reform, and dismiss
ing some of the plcthoric ms TO make room
for some of the hungry outs, will cure all
this. But 1t is safe to wait a while to see
whether tho thing is really tried. and then
we can tell how il works.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30

-, '.,' "' 'o' i"N ''.'' hil ~
The President has met his first opnortuni-
~ g. begin radical reform in The civil service.
and Wa mr." sorry lo say that his way Of meeting
has hecn here iuN, s;pti ni, the hu- mess ot TIA
NV York Custom Ii lusc has made partial re-
twenty per cent. IN the force ia foas lo and do
sirahl"; that tho hours II employ mont could.
Wih !ivanlae". bo in0r ascd a. from . A. NJ 10
CASTOR Sh.uli Joe seized to FREQ the service"
from IN" control of party aud orsanza it
ON "a strictly business las :, with the same aunr-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-05-30
Custom House Reform.

We are just now receiving a large consl gn-
ment Of customs reform on paper So far as
IL advises reduction in tho numbers Of
the forco and an Increase in tho hours ~
labor in this collection district, it will
amount to something more than mere words,
provided tho recommendations Of Mr.. JAYS
committee in those particulars are prompt
j. and rigidly carried into effect The com
mittco propose reduction Of twenty per
cent. IN tho Oillcoholing corps in this dis
trict. Two or three weeks ago we roeom-
mcnaod a reduction Of twenty-five per cont,
as well as an increase in the hours OF labor.
But the proposal Of tho committee may do
for a beginning, if 1t - executed without de-
lay and in good faith
Tho committees plan 81 separating the
customs service from partisan politics reads
we'll. Indeed that sort Of homily has al-
ways read well. But the difficulty has ever
been That nobody would practise as hc
preached, We have had periodical lts Of
s"rmoui1ing about not running tho Custom
House as political machine. But at the
Noly next call for "A State Convention, all tho
welEhcrs, Etusof7, and inspectors, as n
matter 81 course, secured their precincts
FIR recruit 3 ru Do with tAeir following TO
tle Primaries and there picked out the
right man, put tho revenue stamp upon
him. and sent him 10 Syracuse or Saratoga
When tho metropolitan cohorts myo ar
rived on the hattle ground, they have found
Honest TOW MURPHY or Cen. ARTHUR, grave
as "A Mandarin, sitting In n spacious parlor
ana directing tho limo OF attack upon the
Ind pendent rural Delegates: whilo Mr..