davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
ASExrRAoRDINARY R1r HUNT.


The Sacramento (Cal.) Union of the
18th inst. says: "The large, double
building on the north side of NJ street,
between Third and Fourth, owned by f.
Torey, and occupied as boarding house,
base late appeared to be the headquar-
ters of vast number of bats, which
managed to get in between the ceiling
and roof through small apertures along
side the water-spOut. The vampires be-
came great nuisance, and Mr.. TOrrey
concluded to make an effort to get rid of
them. With this end in view he pro-
cured five-gaflon coal oil can, and ar
ranged it something like a rat trap, so
that the bats might enter it readily, but
could not get out. A number of small
holes were also punched in the can to
admit light. The can was on Thursday
placed IN such position as TO completely
cover the opening through which the
animals passed in and out of the build
ing. The result was that a short time
alter dark it was filed with the little
pests, who made great scratching and
squealing. The remainder of the bats,
finding their usual place of exit stopped
up, looked about for another, and dis
covered small hole in the plastering of
the ceiling. Through this they made
their way in great numbers, and found
themselves prisoners in the sleeping
apartment of two young women. The
latter aroused from their slumbers by a
mysterious noise, and feeling their faces
famed by invisible wings, became
alarmed and sprang from the bed, but
their feet came down upon a mass of
auirming, scratching and biting some
things, while other something's struck
them in the face, and on the head and
bdy, chattering viciously, and having a
cold and damp feeling. 1t
was not pleasant situation by any
means, and the girls opened the door and
fastened into the hall, calling for assist
ance and closely followed by their tor
mentors. Other occupants of the house,
alarmed at the noise, opened their doors
to see what the trouble was, but were
glad to close them again to keep out the
bats. some of the boarders desired to go
iOwn stairs, but every step was a bat
'Ocst. and they had to get out upon the
0alconies. After much hard work, which
asted nearly until daylight, the animals
we're driven or swept from the upper
tory down into the basement where !
hey were gathered into heap, SO far as
,ossible, and killed by the application of
,oiling water. Those thus killed num-
,ered, by actual count, 760, and the
,irls subsequently killed four more in
heir room. The trap was placed in
Vash-tub filed with water, and its occu-
ANTS drowned. There being conAider-
ble curiosity to know how many bats a |
ive-gallon measure could hold, they |
we're counted and amounted to 22S. The |
lain. all told, filled four buckets. Yes
erday the opening in the ceiling was /
,lastered up and the trap set aeain. Last |
vening it was well filed, Judging from
he noise, and it was estimated that there |
vas right smart chance of bats about |
he house still"
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
What a sno,c-F -F1ake nrnn no-


The instability of equilibrium among
forces brlngsin an element ofuncertainty,
or rather incalculability, which renders
prediction extremely difficult in manv
fields of scientific investigation. Prof
Balfour Stewart, in a most Instructive
essay on Solar Physics" gives US some
illustrations OF this. He supposes a
stratum of air in the earth's atmosphere
to be very nearly saturated with aoueous
vapor, that Is to say, just a little above
the dew-point; while at the same time
it is losing heat with extreme slowness
so that if left to itself it would be LONG
time before moisture were deposited
Now, such stratum is in an extremely
delicate state of molecular equilibrium
and the dropping into tof a small crystal
of snow would at once cause a remarka-
BILE change of state. For what would
happen? The snow would cool the air
around it, and thus moisture would he
deposited in the form of fine mist or
dew. Now, this deposited mist or dew
being liquid. and as much more radiant
than vapor, would send its heat into
empty space much more rapidly than
the saturated air; and, therefore it
would become colder than the air around
1t. Thus, more air would be cooled, and
more mist or dew deposited; and so on
until a complete change of condition
should be brought about, resulting, per-
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
MEDIUMS CONSULTED IN BUs1SEss

The disclosure concerning Mr.. Days
patronage of the spiritualists suggests
word about the good business that the
mediums and clairvoyants of New York
are enabled to do through the supersti-
tious credulity of men and women who
occupy high social positions and even
rank as persons of more than ordinary
intelligence. 1t is no secret here that
such persons habitually consult the
mediums and clairvoyants about i'm
portant business affairs and are guided by
the so-called revelations which they obtain
in this way. There are mediums, both
male and female, who make regular
clientage, if it may be so called, among
merchants, professional men, spectators
and others not lacking intelligence, and
who make a very comfortable living by
supplying them with information which
they (the dupes, of course) really believe
comes from supernatural sources. 1t
was only the other day that a stock
speculator failed through operating on
"points" which medium told him came
direct from the spirit of Commodore
Vanderbilt. Either the medium was
downright fraud, or the commodore is
not so well posted in the other world as
he was in this, for the points proved as
unreliable as any that good old Daniel
Drew ever distributed among the boys.
1t is even a common thing for some
business men to consult theoracles before
going into any large venture. | am told
OF one, an importer, whose outlay for
spiritual information averages 81 900 per
year. Another makes it a rule not to
employ an accountant, salesman or errand
boy without first finding out what the
spirits think about it. Then there are
lawyers (not many, / trust, but certainly
some) who never try a case till medium
or clairvoyant has been consulted. The
late Judge Edmonds, as is well known,
used to declare that spirits frequently
appeared to him in court and put him in
the way of getting evidence of the
greatest Importance. Many business
failures are caused from time to time by
over-confidence in mediums and their
revelations. Our old friend Smith, the
razor strop man, who keeps street stand
near the sub-treasury, was doing a
prosperous trade in fine store on Grand
street until spiritualism got hold of him
and drew him away from his business
It is not only the illiterate, by any means,
on whom the sharpers of spiritualism
end the humbugs of clairvoyance
habitually prey. They have quite as
many dupes on Murray Hill as in the
quarters Of the working classes, and they
certainly get more money out of the
former than out of the latter.-Neoc
York Cor. Detroit Press.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

The anxiety of Europe concerning the
complications of the Turco-Russian cam
paipn is likely 70 be increased by the
entrance into the field Of battle Of two
unexpected hostile forces, inimicai 70
both sides in the conflict, and threaten
inc moreover, to carry devastation into
nentral territories. Cholera and plague,
from their recruiting stations in India
and Mesopotamia, are on the march, and
nnder the fostering conditions of war 1t
is impossible to foretell the limits OF
their invasion. Last year cholera was
on its route through Persia toward the
Russian possessions on the Caspian, and
earIy in the present spring grave appre-
tensions were aroused as TO the vlru-
Ience and rapid diffusion of the epidemic
Within a few weeks several local ont
breaks have been reported, one at AkyAO
killing % per cent. OF the Europea.
ponulation in thirty hours, and new loci
Of infection will doubtless be muitlpreo-
ON the other hand, plague, when n11
been gradually extending its rayages iOr
some wears past, had, even before .ne
commencement of actual hostin.ae
spread to the regions north OF baso.-
with alarming speed Under these s e..
cumstances the war now in progress non
only threatens disaster to the COLL ,on.'o..s
ants themselves, bnt menaces an nu,o
with a visitation Of pestilences wnlo. =
precautions may be able !"
Ne,0 York World.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

The Dead already Numbered Gy Millions.
The famine which our Shanghai cor
respondents letter describes this morn
ing, is a disaster of woful magnitude. 1t
extends over a very wide region of the
empire, it is carrying off the population
by thousands, and there is no near hope
that it's ravages will soon be over.
Through the north and east of the coun-
try, from the near neighhorhood of the
imperial city and from the shores of the
Yellow sea, beyond the line of the great
wall which shuts off China from the
western world outside, the terrible visi-
tatiou extends. The suffering, we are
told, is beyond description. III addition
to the multitude who have already per-
ished under it, there is the larger num-
Der of those who are just managing to
keep alive, and from whose exhausted
ranks fresh victims are continually added
to the dismal roll. Anything that will
allay hunger is eagerly sought after, no
matter how uninviting or unfit to be used
as food The rotten thatch of the houses
and dried leaves that serve generally
for fuel are not now neglected as nause-
Gus or unsatisfying, and lucky indeed
is the man who can get full sup
ply even of these. The government
is making the semblance of an
effort to relieve the widespread misery /;
but the means it employs are wholly in
adequate. An expression of verbal sym
pathy, grant of money which allows
about farthing day for the relief OF
each case of distress, and some well
meant but mistaken edicts, which have
had the effect of simply making matters
worse tian before, are the measure OF
assistance which the Chinese rulers can
bestow. The famine proceeds in spite of
them, and matters are rendered worse by
the intense cold which was prevailing at
the date OF our correspondents letter,
and by the snow which lay so deep as to
prevent the people from picking up any
of the wild produce of the soil. AS
summer advances and as the weeds begin
to grow and the trees to be covered with
foliage, there may be change expected
for the better. Meanwhile there is no
remedy to be found, except in the readi-
ness of the people to do anything and
submit to anything that will furnish
them with the bare means of supporting
life, and in the willing but insufficient
relief found which is subscribed among
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
TURKISH OFFICIAL TITLES.

SULTAN-The sovereign of the Turkish
empire-the recognized organ of all exc
cutive power in the state. His head
quarters are at Constantinople.
PoRTE--The government of the Turk,
ish empire.
SUBLIME PoRTE---The official name of
the government, so called from the gate
of the sultan's palace.
GRAND VIzER---The, chief minister of
the Turkish empire.
DIvAN.--The Turkish council of state
the cabinet"
GRAND MUFTI--Chief interpreter of
the Mohammedan law and head of the
wise men "-jurists theologians and
iterdti-who assemble for consultation
on his order. He is mostly styled the
chief of the faithful" A writer SAYS
fst,ca or decree from him would summons
around the standard of the prophet all
the fanatical hordes of Islam to fight to
the death against the "infidels, in the
firm belief that death on the battlefield
is sure passport to Paradise"
PAsHA - Governors viceroys, COM
manders, civil and military rulers of pro-
vinces.
DEYs--About the same as Pasha
SHEIK--The name given the heads of
Arabian tribes or clans. 1t means elder,
or eldest in dignity and authority.
OsMANDI--Turkish official.
IsLAN--The religion of Mohammed.
IsLAMs- Mohammedans themselves.
MUssULMAN---A follower of Moham~
med.
OTTOMAN EMPIRE---Another name for
the Turkish empire, and derives its name
from Osman, its founder.
OsMAMLIs--The Turks proper.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
RUSSIAN roRPEDo-BoArs

\
The Turkish squadron ON the river
Danube is under the command of KiriJ-
lee Mustapha Pasha, and consists of some
seven armed gunboats and a few small
wooden vessels armed with light guns.
The iron-clad gunboats are all about one
hundred and fifteen feet in length, carry
guns (eight-pounders) in battery placed
on the forepart of the deck, and are pro-
tected vita twO-inch armor. The re-
naming two are of very superior con-
struction, carrying their two guns $50
pounder krupps) in turret placed for
ward. They were built at CONSTANT
nople. Nothing is known as to whether
the Roumanian authorities have con-
nived at the placing of torpedoes in the
river on the part of the Russians, though
doubtless the latter will have thought of
it. The Turks at one time thought OF
having recourse to these weapons, and
placing them at every point on the Dan
ube at all suitable for crossing, but there
is reason to believe the idea has been
abandoned. However, the difficulty of
crossing the river, owing to these gun
boats, has not been underestimated by
the Russian government, and, with a
view of paralyzing their action, and pro-
tecting the operations for throwing over
a bridge, a number of small torpedo
boats have been added to the equipment
of the invading army. These boats are
steam launches about thirty feet long
constructed, with the exception of one,
which is OF steel, of thin non plating.
They are fitted with engines of eight
horse power, and possess great speed.
Being speedily built with view to tran
sport by rail, they are exceedingly light
for their size, and do not weigh, with
their engines and fittings all complete,
more than three and one-half tons.
They will probably be fitted with the
spear torpedo, and their crews will trust
to their speed to carry them alongside
an enemy's gunboat, and away from it
again. before the Turks will have sufi-
ciently recovered their presence of mind
to point gun correctly, or even fire one.
AS a protection against rifle fire, these
boats carry shields at each end, but
there is nothing to prevent their being
sunk by the fire of great gun. Well
maneuvered, under the command OF
beId and enterprising officers, these
launches must become very dangerous to
the Turks, and, in any case, are likely to
prove a valuable auxiliary force, as they
may be used among other purposes for
carrying over the advance guard. Once
at the river, the Russian army will be
delayed until the bridge is constructed
or the passage of the main body. Ma
terials for bridge have been collected
in abundance at the town of Ismail, on
the Killa branch of the Della, and in
clude both pontoons and boats as well as
tne necessary timber.-N Y Times.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
0TER-sENSITIYENEss

A great deal of discomfort arises from
over-sensitiveness about what peo-
pie may say of you or your actions.
This requires to be blunted. Consider
whether anything you do will have much
connection with what they Will say.
And, besides, it may be doubted whether
they viii say anything at all about
you. Many unhappy persons seem to
imagine that they are always in an am
phitheater with the assembled world as
spectators whereas all the while they
are playing to empty seats. They fancy,
too, they form the particular theme of
every passer-by. II, however, they must
listen to imaginary conversation about
themselves, they might, at any rate, defy
the proverb, and insist upon hearing
themselves well spoken of.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
FOOLISH IDMIRA TTON or CRIMI-
NAIS.

II jewel robbery is committed, We
always hear of the address of the robber,
who has discovered where the Jewels are
kept and the habits of the owners and
the weaknesses OF the servant maids
who has, that is, exhibited littIe-often
4 very ittle--of the skill of the most
ordinary and halEexperienced detective
If criminal escapes from prison, the
papers are full of compliments on his
ingenuity, patience and skill in adapting
means to ends, though he has done moth
ing which an ordinary artisan, with a
difficult job of repairs to finish, does not
do every day. 1t takes more patience,
and skill, and perseverance, for instance,
to file complicated door key than
cut through any number of bars; and
the work is, in most cases, done at once
better and mCIe quickly.
Forgery, a low variety of the common
est initiative art, displaying no power
except one possessed by almost every
draughtsman-we doubt if there is a
portrait painter alive who, in week,
could not initiate any signature-always
moves reporters to admiration; while
swindling, if only the amount obtained
is sufficient, rouses judges and advocates
20 loudly expo ssed conviction that the
swindler, had he only been honest, might,
with less exertion, have risen high in
any trade or profession. He would prob
ably not have risen at all. Industry is
wanting to all habitual criminals. and
though there have, ef course, been
exceptions, still, as a rule, the most
successful plants" the robberies which
have excited the most attention and
raised their authors highest in the crimi-
nal class, have demanded no qualities in
those who arranged them beyond those
which are displayed by every minor
actor, or wandering juggler.--London
STectator.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
ESTABLISHED 1859.


Down hfe's western slope alone
1 seem to tread my lonely way
Behind are years foIev hoFn-
Before me one eternal day
All, am | uow indeed aioneY~
Is there for me no friendly guide
No willing hand within my own
No loving helper at my side
No one TO earthly vision clear,
To cheer to help? Nc mortal hano-
No loving One-nO friend is near
To guide Iae DER the darken'd strand
Yet sweetly felt in waking hours,
And dimiy seen around my beGf
AT night, when sleep the form D empowers.
Are darling ones the world calls dead.
They are not dead They speak 10 me
In gentle accents sweet and clear;
Telling of joys that are 10 be
AID of a heaven that's ever near.
And soon this feebly-beating heart
VIII cease the passing time to count
Spirit and body kindly part,
The soul on wings OF light will mount,
Oh, joyful thought Oh, vision bright
he lonely homesics soul 10 cheer!
Remain to bless my spirit sight,
That may know thee ever near;
Then the declining slope II tre- j.,
Eitn fearless step and oyful heart,
- ~ ross The sSaffies af tl1e,
> Nor sigh Nhen call 4 from ealln o. E.srt.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
THE YOUNG FOLKS.
At the Party.

1t the Party.
Half dozen children
a. our house
Half a dozen children
Quiet as a mouse,
Quiet as a moonbeam,
You could hear pin
Waiting for the party
To begin.
Such a food of flounces
90 dear mel
Such n surge Of sashes,
Like a siiken sea.
Little eyes demuTely
Cast upon the ground,
Little airs and graceS
Al arohnd.
High time for that party
To begin!
To sit so aay longer
Were a sort of sin;
As if you weren't acquainted
With society
Whatea thing to tel Of
That would he
Up spoke a little lady
Aged five;
e. ve tumhled up my cyeT-dress
sure as IL alive,
NJ dress came from Pans;
We'ssnt TO y OF Ia fOr it,
Mother saws she calls II
such it -
quick there piped another
Little voice:
g Tdidn't send for dresses,
Though I had my choice;
have got = doll that
Came from Paris too;
1T can walk and talk ~
Well as you ~
=till til now. there sat one
Little girl
Simple as 4 su0w-drop,
Without a flounce or curl
Modest as primrose
sol. plain hair brushed back
But the color Of her dress ~as
Black-ail h!acE-
awift she glanced around with
sweet surprise;
Bright and grave the look ihal
WideDed in her eyes.
To entertain the party
She must do her share,
As II God had sent her
Stood she there
Stood a minute thinking,
with crossed hands,
How she best rniEht meet tho
Cumpany's demands.
Crave and sweet the purpose
To the child 5 voice given
90 ! have q iitte brother
Gone TO heasenl !"
On the little party
Dropped a spell
Al the little Hvunces
HUSTLED where they FELL
But the modest maiden,
In her mourning gown
Unconscious rs a flower
LOoketh down.
Quick nv heart besOught her
silently;
90 Happy little maiden,
Give, . give to me
Tho hifaness % your courage
The sweetness OF your grace,
TO speak a IA ge word, in
Little place Z"
liealefh lSt1,aYt PhelphS, IN dIrH Wids 4trai
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08
CURRENT PARAGRAPHS.

THERE are 375 appointments to be
made on the police force of New Orleans,
and there have been $500 applications
{only), and, Governor Nichols having
been consulted, is of the opinion that
the 375 vacancies won't stretch to the
desired capacity.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

"YAEKIN WAR;" is the Turkish cry
of FIRE, and instead of ringing alarm bells,
the Constantineple authorities discharge
seven Krupp guns. The locality of the
: fire is indicated by flags or lights. The
firemep are called tumulbadgis," and
the different companies often fight each
other, as in Christian countries. The
sultans themselves used to run to the
fires, but they are now more dignifed.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

!. Notwithstanding her deplorable
mental condition the ex-Empress Char
lotte of Mexico is in excellent bodily
health, and it is said that she is now
more attractive in appearance than she
was before her widowhood.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

NEW ORLEANS Democrat. The cot
ton-gin created revolution in the cost
and production of this important fleece.
Recently another invention has been
patented which may produce almost as
marked an effect as the cottongin. 1t
is the picker. 1t is a wagon-like ma
chine, which is driven through the
ripened folds, and picks clean every
scrap of cotton, and nothing except cot
ton. and saves the labor of one hundred
hands. Where the price of the staple
may 60 to with this invention in general
ssuse, il is impossible to fathom. This
nlacBias is a North Carolina affair. and
is said to 40 good sork.
INDIAN territory has a larger popula-
sion than the state of Nevada, number
ing 77,000. 1t is a sad mixture of
whites, Indians and negroes. There are
wild Indians "by blood, called " blanket
Indians" composed of Usage, Cheynnes,
Aarpahoes, Kiowas and Pawnees. These
do not till the ground, and are not much
mixed with each other. They number
about 10000. There are other " Indians
by blood" that are not wild, such as
Cherokees, Greeks, Seminoles, Choctaws
and Chickasaws. They are partly civil /
lied, and much mixed. There are white /
persons, who have married Indians, and I
are called "a Indians by marriage"
They are entitled to all the privileges of /
the tribes. The negroes of the nations /
Of Cherokees, Greeks and Seminoles were /
made free by the treaties of 1866, and +
are called q Indians by treaty" OF the
civilized "a Indians by blood, F." q Indians
by marriage" and Indians by treaty"
there are $1,000. There are, however,
$500 negroes who are not Indians by
treaty -
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

haps, in shower of rain. Now, in this
imaginary case; the tiniess possible fake
of snow has pulled the trigger, as it were,
and made the gun go Off---has changed
completely the whole arrangement that
might have gone on for some time lon
ger as it was, had it not been for the ad-
vent of the flake GeOrqe les.
The Hickman courier., 1877-06-08

PLuMs, peaches, corn and potatoes
grow extensively in Florida.