davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
The London Chick Weed Man.

Birds and flowers do much to enliven the
dusky house windows of London streets,
and both are attended to with great care.
The birds are treated to some luxuries
which our American pets scarcely know
of at all in their domestic state, and
among these are two small plants called
chick weed and groundsel, which grow
abundantly along the hedges and in the
fields on the outskirts of the smoky city.
Both chick-weed and groundsel are in
significant little things, but the epicu-
;rean lark, canary or goldhnch finds In it
a most beneficial article of diet, quite as
much superior to other green stuff as
in the minds of some boys and grs-ice
cream and sponge cake are superior to
roast beef and potatoes.
On Sunday afternoons and holidays,
the lanes where the groundsel and chick
weed grow are lrequented by the citizens
aof the aboring class who, although the
city is quite near and its smoke blackens
its leaves, call this the country and enjoy
it as such. 1t is pretty sight to see
them when they are well-behaved; and
should one notice the boys and girls,
many of them would be found hunting
under the hawthorn hedgerows FOR chick
weed and grOuudsel to be taken home
for the pet birds.
But all the birds of London do not de-
pend on the industry OF their owners for
these luXurics. Some men make II trade
of gathering and selling the plants, and
the description given further on of one of
them will give an idea of how they look.
EI.... l.,,,, .. lad
tage. 1t needs no capital or tools, and
strong pair of legs and "A knife are ali that
its followers real want. Perhaps it is
on this account that the groundsel ano
chick weed sellers are all very poor, and
the raggedness Of some is pitiable in the
extreme Their shoes are shOckingly
dilapidated, owing to their LONG daily
marches into the country, and the rest OF
their clothes are nearly as bad.
If we take Il fair example, we shall lind
that, despite his poverty stricken appear
ence, his torn loose sleeves and useless
boots, he is not at all repusive. His face
tells of want and toll; he has slung Il
shabby old basket over his shoulders, in
which he carries his load, and with a
bunch in bis hand he sauniers along the
street, prucaiming his trade. "Grun- sci,
grun-sel, grun-sel"' Besides the ground
sci and the chick weed, he sells small
pieces OF turf, of which larks are very
fond.
The birds in their cages at the open
windows chirp aud put their pretty little
heads aside when they hear him coming
they know perfectly we'll who he is and
what he bring. and their twitter shapes
itself into greeting. The old raven
perched ON tue edge of the basket feels
like Il superior being, and wonders why
other lii DIS make such u fuss over hit ie
green stuff, but that is only because he
has coarser tastes.-.St. Nicholas
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

ZEALousIY labor for right.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
Graphing for a Lost Gable.

The Great Eastern was fitted out with
apparatus which may be llkened to AN
enormous fishing hook and line, and was
sent to the spot where the treasure had
been lost. The line WAS Of hemp inter
woven with wire. Twice the cable was
siczed and brought almost tothe surface.
Twice it slipped from the disappointed
fishermen, tut the third time it was Sc
cured. 1t was then united with the cable
on board, which WAS "paid OUT until the
great steamer again reached Newtound-
land, and second telegraph-wlre united
the two continents.
The scene on board as the black line
appeared above water WAS exciting be-
yond description. 1t was first taken to
the testing room, and signal intended
for Nalentia was sent over it, 10 prove
whether or not it was perfect throughout
its whole length. If it had proved to be
imper feet, ali the labor spent upon it
would have been lost. The electricians
waited breathlessly for an answer. The
clerk in the signal-nouse at Nalentia WAS
drowsy when their message came, and dis
believed his ears. Many dislnterested PEG
pie, and even some of the promoters of
the cable, did not think it possible to re-
cover wire that had sunk in thousands
of fathoms of water. But the clerk in
the little station connected with the shore
end of the cable of 1865 suddenly found
himself in communication with vessel
situated in the middle of the Atlantic.
The delay aggravated the anxious watch
ers on the ship, and a second signal was
sent. How astonished that simple mind
ed Irish telegraph-opera,or was. Five
minutes passed, and then the answer came.
The chief electrician gave loud cheer,
which was repeated by every man on
board, from the captain down to his ser
vaut.-.St. Nicholas.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

CHANGING ON."-One YVES a parcel
boy aud the other cash boy, and as they
halted under an awning for a minute the
parcel boy asked:
"Do you get the same wages YETI
eyes, just the same
Haven't you been presented With
watch or a cane, as a token of esteemf'
"No-not a thing"
"Don't the boss ever ask you up to a
Sunday dinncrs"
mot one"
Never come around and ask your ad-
vice about the markets"
Never"
"And hasn't he got a daughter to fall
in love with you and commit suicide if
she cannot marry you"
"No."
"Well, | don't see why you stay there :;
it must be awful humiiiating to a boy Of
your temperament"
80 it is--it's awful on me, but I'm
hanging ON in hopes of fuding five
dollar bill on the floor ana buying all
the rock candy can eat. Seems as
though | could taste it new--youm-
goodbye. Few people know now we
BOYS suffer dav by DAY"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

1orAL EclIrsE.-There are some men
who, learning to know each planet by its
Latin name, have quite forgotten such
small heavenly consultations as Charity,
Forbearance, Love aud Mercy, and, look
ing upward, see nothing but the reflection
of their wisdom and book learning.
1t is curious to see these people, turn
ing their eyes toward the countless spheres,
and making them reflect only the images
their minds contain.
The man who lives but in the breath of
princes has nothing in his sight but stars
for courtiers' breasts.
To the money -hoarder, the great uni
verse above glitters with sterling coin,
fresh from the mint, coming always be-
tween him and Heaven, turn where he
may.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

A RAILWAY pile driver has just been
introduced, in which the engine, ham
mcrs, derrick. ladders. &c, and hosting
apparatus are all confined within an or
binary sized freight car. Heavy timber
and beams make Il strong framework for
the foundation Of the bed of the car. 1t
is built on a circular turn-table which is
worked on the car, ami it can be TUNED
either way, the pile driver reaching out
some twenty feet beyond the width Of the
track. Thus, piling for bridges can be
driven on end or side of the track simply
by shifting the box of the car around.
The machinery is placed within, i'll the
most compact and convenient form pos
siblc, and embraces all the modern im-
provements in the latest constructed pile
drivers. 1t is said to operate with un-
usual rapidity, and it is bur the work OF
a moment to attach it to an engine or
train.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

WEDNESDAY night drummer for a
Pittsburgh boot and shoe house, consid-
erably under the influence Of liquor, mis-.
took his route and drove his team upon
the trestle bridge of the Edinburgh, Sum
nit and Clarion Railroad, just this side
of the Clarion river, surprising it to be
the wagon road. The trestle bridge is
sixty feet up from the ground, and about
the same length, but tne horses made the
crossing, feeling their way in the dark
ness, step by step, every foot striking Il
tie securely, until the distance was trav-
ersed and they stood in safety on
The other side; and just in the
nick of time, too, as the night eX
press came laundering by in five minutes
after the drummer and team had left the
track. 1t is easy to imagine the terrible
catastrophe that would have resulted had
the train overtaken the horses and man
on the bridge. The Waterman NJ the end
of the trestle halted the drummer as he
drove OFF the track, hnt MAS told to mind
his own business Edia5uygh (PaJ Her.
aid.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

IL B7cslsu. Prussia, a successful at
tempt has been made to erect paper
chimney about fifty feet high. BY a
chemical preparation he paper is rem
der eiimpcryiOus to fire or water
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

TWENTY FIVE counties in Virginia
have refused to grant licenses for the sale
Of intoxicating liquors.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11
Death of the King of Lepers.

Honolulu papers announce the death IN
December of William p. Ragsdale, Gov
ernur of the Lcper Settlement on the
Island OF Molukui, SandWhich Islands.
"Bill Rngsdale,' rs he was popularity
known, was Hawaiian toy birth, his
mother having been u native anu his IA
ther an American. IL was lawyer,
speaking English MS tlurntly rs Hawaiian,
and the most noted orator OF the HAW-
allan Kingdom. The manner IN which
Rausdale discovered that he had the lep-
rosy, as told by himself, is interesting.
lie resided for IL number of years on the
island Of Hawai-, and had an office III
iIilo, the capital of the island. One
night he was studying on law case IN
which he was deeply interested, when the
chimney from his lamp fell ON the table.
Although the chimney was as hot as lire,
BILL in his excitement, picked 1t up
and set it in its place without experiencing
Inconvenience, such rs would naturally
result To a sound person handling hot
lamp chimney He reflected for mo-
ment, looked at his hand, but could not
discern the least sign that 1t had been
burned. He then took OF and put on the
chimney repeatedly. and with the same
result This experience convinced him
that he was among the afflicted, and he
lost no time in communicating with the
authorities. An examination WAS made,
and medical authority declared that he
WAS afflicted with ieprosy. The police
did not arrest him, however, owing to his
exalted position, ~ was common with
those suspected of being lepers, SO he vol
UNFAIRLY delivered himself up AS victim
of the terrible disease. He was then sent
to MOlokai, and installed as Governor OF
the Leper settlement, which position he
held up to the time OF his death. During
his administration of affairs he was MS
successful as he WAS popular. There
were and are about 500 lepers on the set
Element. but by his tact and kind heart
edness Ragsda!e made the most extraor-
binary and saddest community on the
face of the earth as cheerful and happy
as the untortunates could be. BY his ad-
vice the Government made many reforms,
and the iepers recognized him us father
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-04-11

A CERTAIN Aberdecnshire laird, who
kept IA very good poultry yard, could not
command a fresh egg Tor his breakfast,
and felt much aggrieved by the want.
One day, however, he met his grieve's
wife with nice basket, and very suspi-
ciously going towards the market. On
passing and speaking word, he discov-
cred the basket was full of beautiful white
eggs. Next time he talked with his grieve,
he said to him, "James, like you very
well, and | think you serve me faithfully,
but cannot say admire your wife"
To which the cool reply was, 80, deed,
cir, I'm no surprised at that, for dinna
muckle admire her myself"
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25

rice will take up, and plenty Of grated
Parmesan cheese, mix well, mi Keep
stirring on the fire till hot. Serve piled
on the dish.
QUEEN CAKE-Beat mi pound OF
butter to . cream, with some rose-water,
one pound of -four dried, n pound OF
sifted sugar, beat all well together; add
a few cnrrsnts washed and dried; but
ter small pans of a size for the purpose,
crate sugar over them; they are soon
baked.
To PICKLES EGGs.-Boil the eggs
hard, and remove the shells; when cold
put them into q jar and pour over
enough vinegar to cover them, in which
has Been boiled some salt, mace, whole
pepper, and cloves. Tie . bladder COW
ering over them and keep for some time
before use. In all picking operations
only wooden or bone spoons should be
used.
SUGAR CAKE.-Take half q pound OF
dried -four, the same quantity OF fresh
butter washed in rose-water, and . quar-
ter of q pound of sifted loaf sugar, then
mix together the -four and sugar, rub in
the butter, and add the yolk of an egg
beaten with a tablespoonful of cream ;
make il into q paste, roll and cut into
small round cakes, which bake upon q
Holir tin.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25
Bound in z

The risks of glacier expeditions are de-
scribed by q correspondent of the London
Times, who writes from Pontresina, in
the Engadine. Seton Karr with two
guides set ont from hat place on the
first Thursday in August, to spend the
night in the new shelter hut of the Swiss
Alpine club at Boval, and then to ascend
the Piz Bernina. A second party occu-
pied the hut with them. and accompa-
MED them the next morning to the
Festung, where the paths separated.
Some hours afterward a snowstorm sud.
denly overlook both, although the
weather had been fine and the sky
almost cloudless. After a painful and
most difficult walk the second party re.
turned safely to Pontresina in the even.
ing. Karr and his guides gained the
summit of the Bernina at $3.50 A. NJ,
when they we're surrounded by thick
clouds and overtaken by a storm, which
lasted till the evening of the following
day. However, after a short rest they
began the descent, and by II o'clock had
safely reached the great Firnkessel. On
ward they proceeded in the now raging
snow-storm until they had gained the
Grasta Gussa. Darkness had overtaken
them, and further progress was impossi
BILE. At dawn fresh and Intellectual
efforts were made to escape. About
noon they contrived by means of q ropt
to let themselves down q considerable
height, falling upon the soft snow, and
continued their perilous journey unit
9 p. NJ, little thinking they we're within
reach of the Bavalhutte, where succol
wa awaiting them; for there their erie
had been heard. Joyful greetings wer'
exchanged, and food and shelter wa
soon provided. None of the party sus
tanned any serious injury, although tn
Englishmen narrowly escaped the effect
of frost bite,
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25
A Fight with . Shark.

Capt. w. l.. Pattison had quite q fight
with the gray man-eating shark which
he caught of Short Beach, Branford, the
other day. The monster wa nine feet
four in length, and was a. big around a.
. four-barrel. His jaws were nine inch
es in diameter, and, after his head had
been cut of, the captain put his head
between his six rows of formidable teeth
and through his throat. The captain
has been on the water for TWENTY-FIVE
Year,, but this is the first time he has
ever known of q gray sharks visit to the
waters of the sound. When he found
the ugly fellow in his fish-net, he had
him drawn to his yacht, and grabbed
him by his top fin, a he expresses it.
The shark was decidedly opposed to this
method of treatment, and snapped vic
iously at everything within his reach,
occasionally taking something out of the
gunwale of the boat, and twice biting
tho captains leg. Finally his capturer
got . line around the monster and hauled
him ON deck. Here he took his long
knife and cut his backbone in two.
Even this severe treatment did not cool
the rage of the m~an-eater; for two hours
and = half afterward, when q pine plank
m inch thick was presented to him, he
Immediately bit it in two. The snap.
ping of his jaws conld have been heard
: distance of ten yards. He lived four
hours after his backbone had been dis.
jointed. He weighed considerably more
than 400 pounda-NeD Haven Register.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25

NERVOUSNESS and sleeplessness can be
cured by the use of DR.. Graves HEART
REGULATOR. A single dose win enable a
person to pass q comfortable night who has
not known one for years, and for quieting
the nerves and bringing the heart into
healthy action it cannot be excelled. Try
1t; thousands testify to it, virtues, and it
win relieve you a. well a. others. We
know it to be q medicine Of great worth.
Among the many forms of Heart Disease
are Palpitation, Enlargement, Spasms, OF
the Heart, Stoppage Of the Action of the
Heart, Trembling all over and about the
Heart, Ossiication or Bony Formation OF
the Heart, Rheumatism. General Debility
and SINKING ! 81 the sp rnnco. SEM q yG Tr 9 ian e
pamphlet containing = list Of testimonials OF
cures, etc.
The HEART REGULATOR 10 for sale by
druggists at so cents and 81 per bottle.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25

From Galignani's Messenger, August Is.
Many observations have been made on
this singular phenomenon, but hitherto
with but little success. However, q we'll
known naturalist, Rev. II. McCOOk, has
for some time past turned his attention
to the subject, and has succeeded in de-
tecting many new details in the perform
ance. Very recently he watched some
groups of young wolf-spiders (Lycosida)
which crowded the tops of railing in a
meadow. Their faces were turned in the
direction from which the wind was blow
angle of 450, the claws brought together,
and the legs stifened. From the spin
nerets at the apex of the abdomen a sim
gle thread was exuded, and rapidly
drawn out to q length of several feet by
the breeze. Gradually the foremost pair
Of legs sank to the lever of the wood, and
the entire attitude became that of in
tense resistance. Then, suddenly and
simultaneously, the eight claws we're
Embossed, and the spider mounted with q
sharp bound into the air and went career
ing across the field. As far as could be
judged, the insect seemed to take . vol
untary leap at the moment of loosing its
hold. One of them by good fortune.
wa followed through its fight. The
position of the body was soon reversed.
the head being turned in the same direc.
ton - the wind. The legs were spread
out, and were united at the claws by
delicate 6laments of silk. After flying
. distance of about eighty feet, the spider
gradually settled down on the meadow.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25
A Modern ~ohepherdess

A venerable shepherdess was recently
found by some men who were wander
ing in the mountains not far from Vir-
ginia City. She was not one of the kind
that poets sing about; not one of the
kind that figure in Eclogues and all that
sort of thing; but asquare, up-and-down
business woman, who minded her bust
ness-or rather her sheep-and allowed
the rest of the world to take "a r of
itself. She is thus described:
A "woman wrinkled and wry," and
of ~three-score years, leading q herd of
from 275 to 800 goats. She was clad
plainly, If not neatly, in an apron like
q school girls, armless, and open in front,
" simply this and nothing more" She
was making headquarters within the en-.
closure of three rough stone walls, five
feet high, with an open wagon cover,
one-half the top and the front being
wanting. Her couch was half blanket
and q sack of wool for q pillow. The
food on hand consisted of a pound and
a half of -four, which she used by mix
ing it with water and drinking it in the
place of tea or coffee. She had two
dried-up slapjacks, on n of which she
wa nibbling. She added to these luxu.
ries such portions of the flesh of her kids
killed by coyotes as she was able to re-
cover. But the boys appear to have
caught the aged shepherdess away from
her home. She told them where she
lived and invited them to call. 1t was
five miles over the mountains. In the
course of their wanderings they found
the place and accepted the invitation
accordingly, although the mistress of
the mansion was not at home. They
ound there eight pounds Of beans and
about as many of bacon, eight chickens
and nary a rooster among them. She
explained this to them on their return.
She got hungry in the spring and killed
the rooster, as the hens were laying and
she did not care to eat them up. They also
found there a sort of dress and the other
half of the old lady's blanket. She re-
fused to talk much of her history or tell
herr name.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25

Charles Matthews once entering q
codee-room, found it, sole tenant q COM
mercial gentleman, earnestly engaged on
. round of cold beef. Matthews took up
. newspaper, occasionally glancing from
the paper to the beet, and from the beef
to the man; then turning the paper in
side out, addressed the gentleman in q
tone of ill-disguised indignation: az
beg your pardon, sir, but / don't think
you are aware that you have NO mustard"
The person addressed looked up with ev-
ident surprise. Matthews peeped round
the edge of his paper and finding that
his hint not acted upon, concluded that
the man wa deaf. So, raising his voice,
he baxled ont, with syllable precision
have been - eating 80 boiled beef
without-mustardf" A stiff bow, and
no reply. Once more Matthews affected
10 read, but at last, seeing the man's
violation Of good taste, he Jumped up,
matched the mustard-pot, banged It on
the table under the defaulter's nose, and
shouted ont: "Confound it, sir, you
shall take mustard" He then slapped
his hat on his head and ordered the
waiter to show him into Z private room,
vowing that he had never met with such
q savage.
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25
Toot Your Own Horu.n

They have . new wrinkle in stump
speaking in California. At . meeting IN
Rio Vista, I little time ago, 1 political
orator named Elliott produced . fine
effect by ~ststioning = bugler and q drum.
mer behind the stage, with orders to
blow the bugle and beat the drum when
he gave them the cue. He undertook TO
repeat the thing ct Vallejo, rot his
nusicians behind the scenes, and when
he reached tho most dramatic climax Of
his speech he raised his arm with l COM
manding gesture, and said In thrilling
tones: III 70 It must Be, then let the
bugle soundl" Here wa whore the
bugler wa expected to blow, but he
mAde NO sound. After waiting % long
= he could, Elliott won't ON: "n 20 Il
must Be, then let tho drum beati" But
the drummer, who're was hef Not = tsp
va sounded. Much charKrined, Elliott
Aniahed his speech and then hAstened ia
investigate the cause Of the failure on
tie part Of the musiciaua Sound asleep,
bothi And the lesson that Elliott TOOK
nntO himaslt wa foot youf own hosn.''
Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1878-09-25

The prompt reform of those bodily
evils, enfeebled digestion, incomplete a.
simil.tion inactivity Of the liver, kidneys
ana bladder, - well ~ Of the nervous
symptoms which these ailments are espe.
cially prone to beget, isalways accomplished
by the nee of Hostetter's Stomach Bftters, 8
medicine accredited by physicians, pre-.
nounced pure BY analysis, and eminently
wholesome and agreeable. Surely such Z
restorative Il preferable to unpalatable and
fndigestible mineral drugs and unsanctioned
nostrumA. The nation ct large assuredly
thinks 10, judging by the unprecsntsd dc.
mand for the article from Maine to the Pa
cine, . demand now supplemented by i'm.
mense orders for II received from tropical
America, Mexico, the British and Spanish
Colontal possessions, and elsewhere. Both
ct home and abroad II ID recognized q a
standard remedy and preventive, the de.
c~isiveness OF it, effects recommending Il
everywhere.