davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
The Beds Of Antiquity.

About the earliest data that we have
concerning beds are Of Egyptian origin,
and they are very slight Sir Gardiner
Wilkinson thinks that the Egyptians
usually slept on their day-couches, which
were long and straight, sometimes with
back, sometimes with carving of the
heads and feet of animals at the ends,
made Of bronze, of alabaster, Of gold and
ivory, of inlaid wood and richly cushion
ell. Where these we're not in use, mats
replaced them, or low pallets made Of
palm-boughs, with wooden pillow hol-
lowed out for the head. What Egypt
had, Assyrian and the rest OF the world
had; and the Greek, whenever he could,
improved upon other countries notions;
and the Greek couch. Judging from the
bas rcliefs ON many vases, was of great
elegance. The Romans, although re-
ceiving so many Of their customs and so
much of their art from Greece, had very
simple beds until after their eastern
conquests. Indeed beds which, with
their Lillows, were merely hollows in q
slab OF stone, have been found among
Roman remains. But from the period
when their Asiatic dominion increased,
the Romans borrowed fashions from the
conquered, land they developed aastrong
taste for luxury, especially in the matter
OF beds. Examples OF the Roman form
of bed were still preserved in the days OF
Charlemagne. In the meantime, Of
course, in the barDaEie life of Northern
aud Western Europe, these forms gener-
ally being lost, it was an advance in
civilization when the bench became the
bed, and people were fastidious enough
at last TO feel above Sleeping ON bundles
OF straw or heaps of akin upon 4agn. q
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
A Irn Grand.

The New York Sun saws: In most Of
our leading hotels and eating houses the
tcs grounds are saved by the servants,
aud sold O. parties who come around in
wagons nj stated intervals. What they
Gid with the grounds was for long time
mystery. Lately, however, the secret
las escaped. We hear un good auihori-
~ that they are taken to a factory in the
vicinity oi Central Park. stepped in
acids, and dried in the sun on copper
plates. BY this process each leaf II
shrivelled, and made % assume its former
shape. The color is beautiful, and the
old tea odor. 80 familiar to all who love
this delightful drink, is plainly recog-
uized The drying process completed,
the grounds are packed IN tin caddies or
second handed wooden boxes. aud dis
tributed throughout the country, where
it's remarkable cheapncsS attracts unlyer-
cal attention. Occasionally n little gen.
uine tea is mixed with this preparation.
This adds to the flavor, and the victim
is more easily taken in. Much OF this
TIA is said to be sold from peddler
wagons. and eggs, butter and similar
produce are sometimes received in ex-
change.
The tea is not strong enough to lnlure
anyholy's nerves. but the acids used
may undermine the health and prove ex-
tremely injurious 70 invalids. The sub
stance Is not extensively sold 10 custom
crs in large cities, through fear of iuinr-
ing the business Of those who collect the
gtuunds. A tea expert eau detect the
difference between this second. hand tea
aud the genuine. This faculty comes
from his experience. "As a general
thing" he says, "the farmer can lay
down this rule-the greener the leaf and
the brighter the caldy the poorer the
quality Of the tea.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

A late issue of the Chicago Post says :
This morning there was rather an excit-
ing scene in Justice Hahn : courtroom,
which lasted foI but a few moments.
The fncts in the case are about as fol
lows For some weeks past there have been
a number Of articles in the Tribune,
presumably exposes of confidence opera
tions. One OF them. which reflected on
man named koous, was written, as ~
supposed, by Mr.. Lewis Meacham, the
Unknown base ball prophet of that
paper. This morning the latter had
some business in the above mentioned
court, not altogether unconnected with
the article i'm question, and Rooms was
al 90 present. When Mr.. Meacham had
transacted what business he had TO at
tend to, he started 10 go out OF the
room. As he got near the door, koons,
in n cowardly fashion, struck hlm across
the face with a cowhide. Mr.. Meacham
promptly turned. knocked his assailant
down, and prepared to dance on him.
While both we're occupying position
upon the foob that cannot, strictly
speaking, be called dignified. Koons AZ
tempted to further supplement his
cowardice 10y perforating his leveler
with a bullet. He drew revolver os-
teusibly for that purpose, but before he
could discharge il. some of the persons
in the room interferred and wrestled the
weapon from him. Justice Hnines,
when the belligerents had been separ-
ated, made out n mittimus without the
formality of a complaint, and sent Koons
in custody to the Jail, where he is now
ruminating over his undue haste.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

II you would know. and not be known,
live in a city.
National enthusiasm is the great nurs-
sry of genius.
DRUNKENNESS turns a man out Of him.
self, and leaves beast in the room.
Crows are never the whittier for wash
ing themselves.
Contempt win sooner kill an injury
than revenge.
Compliments cost nothing, yet many
pay dearly for them.
Fire and sword are but slow engines
of destruction when compared with the
babbler.
Men look al the faults of others with a
telescopes at their own with the same
instrument reversed, or not at all.
Harsh words and harsh requirements
hare many q time alienated child's
feelings and crushed out all love OF
home. -t.-.t
The greatest luxury of riches is that
they enable you 10 escape so much good
advice. The rich are always advising
the poor; but the poor seldom venture
10 retnrn the compliment
An instance decides the life of man
and his whole fate; for after heightened
thought the resolve is only the act of
moment; ii is the man of sense that
seizes on the right thing TO be done; it
is ever dangerous to linger in your selec-
ton of this and that, and so by your
hesitation get confused.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
ENTIRE HALL, CO.. Pa THURSDAY FEBRUARY T. 1873

with the songs of thesummer VOydgeiirs,
intrudes with its momentary variation
ON the shrek Of the all-penetrating
wind, the ripple Of the stream, the roar
of the thunder toned waterfall, or the
howl Of the wild beasts Of the forests
the undisturbed possession Of the In
dian hunter and his prey. From the
morning when the packet left the Office
nj Fort Garry 10 the evening when the
solitary dog -train-last Of mAny-drags
the same packet, now reduced 10 tiny
bundle, into the enclosure Of La Pierre's
House, more than one hundred nights
have been passed in the great northern
forests more than three thousand miles
have been traversed u score Of different
dog trains have hauled the packet,
sending of branch dog.paekets to the
night aud left IL WAS mid-winter when
il started il arrives just A. the sun
shine Of mid May is beginning 10 carry
faint whisper Of coming spring 10 the
valleys Of the Upper Yucon.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
4 Boy's Presence Of Wind.

The Dayton (Ohio) Democrat says
Some boys were skating on the ice on the
river, below the city, when one OF them.
whose name Is Robinson. broke through
the ice, and disappeared from sight.
HIS comrades were terror-stricken. and
ran away for help, not being capable ot
rendering him any assistance. Young
Robinson, 1t seems. had more presence
of mind in his great trouble than his
companions. Being good swimmer.
and accustomed to diving and remaining
n considerable time under water, he de-
termined to "hold his breath, and
work his way ont Of an air-hole. The
current being pretty strong. greatly
aided the lad, ard in couple Of minutes
he popped up through a hole in the ice.
and striking ont with his hands he caught
the edge Of the ice. and with difficulty he
maintained his hold, and was not swept
under tha ioe aga1I by the strong cur
rent Working his way around the strip
ot Ice against which he had lodged. he
soon got footing on tie gravel at the
bottom Of the river. and easily made his
way 30 shore by clambering out upon
the ice and skating 10 the bank. But
his hands were so bcnumbed that he was
unable to loosen his skates. and he STUN
bled along on them some distance before
he met any one TO take them oil for him.
IL was about supper time, and after his
comrades ran away in their fright 90 get
assistance, no one was to be seen at the
river. Before Robinson sfriends arrived
ut the river he had reached home. and
they got tidings of his safety while they
were engaged in searching for his dead
body with drift-hooks.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
A Strange Tradition.

Among the Seminole Indians there is
a singular tradition regarding the white
mans origin aud superiority. They say
that when the Great Spirit made the
earth he also made three men, all of
whom we're fair-complex oned; and that
after making them he led them TO the
margin OF a small lake, and bade them
leap in and wash. One obeyed, and
came out purer and farer than before;
the second hesitated moment, during
which time the water, agitated by the
first, had become muddled, and when he
bathed, he came up opper-colored; the
thirG did not leap until the water be-
came black with mud, and he came out
with his own color. Then the Great
Spirit laid before them three packages,
and out of pity for his misfortune in
color, gave the black man first choice
He took hold Of each of the packages,
and having felt the weight, chose the
heaviest; the copper-colored man chose
the next heaviest, leaving the white man
the lghtest. When the packages were
opened, the first was found to contain
spades, hoes, and all the implements of
labor; the second enwrapped hunting,
fishing, and warlike apparatus; the third
gave the white man pens, inks, and
paper, the engine of the mind-the
means OF mutual, mental improvement,
the social link Of humanity, the founda-
ton Of the white mans superiority.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

" Into all lives some rain must fall"
Into all ewes some teardrops start
Whether they fall as gentle shower
Or drop like fire, from ON aching heart
Into All hearts some sorrow must creep,
Into all souls some douhtings come
Lashiug the waves OF life's great deep
from dimpling waters 20 seething foam.
Over all pathways some clouds must lower,
Under all feet some sharp thorns spring,
Tearing the flesh to bleeding wounds.
Or entering the heart with their bitter
sting.
Upon all 6rows rough winds mus, blow,
Over all shoulders cross must be lain,
nowing the form in lis lofty height
Down 10 the dust in bitter pain.
Into all hands in some duty thrust,
Unto all arms some burden given,
Crl hing the heart with It's drcary weight
q hitting the soul from earth 81 heaven.
Into all hearts and homes and lives
q dis dear sunshine comes streaming down
Gi ling the ruins " l. tcs great plain
Weaving for all golden crown.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

Some interesting statements are re-
ported 10 have been made at meeting
OF the Clinical Society, London, showing
that slow pulse may in nowise inter-
fere with health. The most remarkable
case, perhaps, was that of DIR. Hewan,
MS related by himself. 1t seems that
twenty-one wears ago, after prolonged
study and work, his pulse fell from
seventy to fifty-fve, and he felt very
cold; from that time its frequency
gradually decreased until about eleven
wears later, when it was but twenty
four beats per minute. Its present
rates are abont twenty-eight Notwith-
standing this, he has not suffered from
fainting fits or colds is capable of great
physical exertion-of which evidence is
to be found in his ascent of q high
mountain and his digestion remains
unimpareds Another speaker said
that Napoleon had q slow pulse, being
about thirty 10 forty per minute I; and
another STATED the rate of o horses
prlse tc b6 only atxt0en.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
An Rx.Gn,ernor,s Career.

General Charles Clarke, ex-governor
OF Mississippi, died few days ago at the
age OF sixty-eight. He served in the
Mexican war as a volunteer. but was
sent home invahded as a consumptive
10y the surgeons. Their verdict DIR.
Warren Stone, the highest authority OF
the Southern faculty, confirmed, one
lung having perished completely, and
the lieutenant was advised 20 go home
and lead the quiet life OF a planter,
avoiding all excitement, whereby he
might prolong his life for eighteen
months, or perhaps even for two years.
He went home but did not die indeed,
after serving in the Legislature and
several public offices he was alive to
head n Confederate brigade at Shiloh.
AS he parted from Colonel W. H.
McArile, a veteran Mississippi iourn.
alist, he said 4" think you will have q
good chance of publishing that obituary
which YOU promised me thirteen years
ago. / have outlived all the doctors,
but am not so confident that ] shall
escape the balls and shells which | shall
be compelled 10 face to-day" After the
flrst DAYS battle General Clarke was
borne to the rear. wrapped in a blanket
saturated with blood. "You can pub
lish that obituary now-he has met with
a soldiers death, was the remark Of
one Of those who bore him, and the
obituary was shortly afterwards publish
ell in the New Orleans papers. Shortly
after the battle OF Baton Rouge,
however, General Clarke was seen again
at New Orleans He had been shot
through the body at Shiloh and left ON
the field, to be taken prisoner, TO re-
cover and 10 be exchanged and Mt
Baton Rouge minie-ball broke his
thigh near the socket. DIR. Stone was
the surgeon who now brought round the
man he had condemned TO a speedy
death in lS4S. and though his leg was
shortened several inches, General
Clarke lived 10 be governor of Missis-
sippi and 20 die fifteen years later quiet
ly in his bed. having buried several
generations of doctors. gone through
two wars with only one lung, been twice
left for dead on he field OF battle, and
seen his obituary published.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
A Biz Eagle.

Mr.. Jas. Hamilton, who lives near But
Ter, in Tyler county. killed gray eagle
a few days ago that measured seven feet
and three inches from tip to tip Of wings.
The day before the bird was killed il
made swoOp al little four year old
girl Of Mr.. Hamilton's who, with her
sister, was on the roof of the piazza dry
ing some walnuts, and might have seri.
ously harmed her had his effort not been
obstructed by the overhanging limbs of
some shade trees. Such birds are not
common in this section. - Columbus
(Gd.) Times.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

Few persons realize how long minute
If. The New York World relates this of
a witness who frequently used the ex-
preston, "severai miuutes:' "Now,
Mr.. Small, " said the Judge, when you
think u minute is gone say now |
will say 'now' when wish you TO be-
GIN" Mr. Small nodded his entire com
prehension Of the plan aud looked conf
dent Of his ability TO guess we'll.
" Now" cried the Judge, and in dead
silence the court waited. The witness
fidgeted about his chair, and. with n
great clock-face staring ut hipi from the
wall, stood the suspense ms long ms he
was able, and then cried "Now. "
/" just twelve seconds" said the Judge,
amid a chorus Of laughter.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

A Russian ofiiser, writing 10 a friend
in Cleveland, Ohio, gives the following
horrible narration, IA translation Of which
We copy from the Herdkdof that city. He
says: Coming to place where the road
somewhat widened, about two miles from
Tells, we halted, aud after driving away
and cutting down IN n short skirmish a
party OF Turks who were busy robbing
our dead, We stopped 10 form before
going on. As / rode along the front
shouting out orders 10 INV men, an agoni4r
ing cry for help arrested my attention. j
looked round. Nothing but heaps OF lead
everywhere. OF these none needed me.
But harkl once more, and again and again
these piteOus cries Hastily dismount-
ing, / threw the bride over my sound
arm and ran toward some bushes from
behind which the sounds proceeded, and
there, in small pool Of clott1d blood,
lay that which az first failed 30 reeog-
nize AS human being, though human
il certainly was in its piteous cries, and
the seemingly gloved hands that clutch
ed air and earth in their agony. The
rest, from the waist upward, was one
mass Of raw, quivering hesh-the face
featureless, eye.lids and ewes cut out,
the man hayed alive, all but the hands,
whose white skin AT first gave the i'm
preston Of their being gloyed. This
ghastly object lay a few steps from a
dead horse, one of our own regiments
golden bays. Paint AZ heart bent over
the sufferer, evidently one 81 our own
men, but now mangled beyond recogni-
ton He prayed for death with his
poor torn lips, aud IN a minute more W.
our surgeon, and two more Of our officers
were by my side. | made room for w,
who stopped for few seconds over our
comrade, and then rising, sadly shook
his head, murmuring "no help" A
sudden impulse prompted me 10 seize
the poor helpless hand in NV own, and
pressing il. whisper a few words OF CON-
fort. At the sound Of my voice came
the sadder appeal "Nieolai, for old
friendships sake. send a bullet through
my heart r. This voice sounded 40
strangely familiar. and vet / could not
recognize it, "Who are You p Alexis
S" Alexis, my old schoolmate, who had
a few hours ago shared my breakfast by
our bivouac fire. and then rode away.
handsome and bold, at the head of our
gallant firsi squadron. he had fallen
wounded, helpless. his horse shot under
him, and the iiendish Turks were slowly
torturing him 10 death when our ap-
proach drove them away. Clasping my
hand in his. he still begged for death.
NY revolver was empty, discharged in
the scufiie a few moments before.
looked ai W, who silently drew out his,
and shuddering in every nerve, placed
the muzzle against 5. : breast, and, with
averied face, fired twice in succession,
while still pressed the poor hand in
mine. We wrapped him up in my cloak
and placing him in the shallow ditch,
rolled boulder over him, and then,
with our hands still moist with his blood,
we swore 20 each other never 10 empty
the last chamber OF our pistols, but al
WAYS b reserve a shot for ourselves and
friends, should any Of us, wounded, have
to be left behind. May quick death,
a soldiers = death, be ours.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

The consul at Florence sends 10 the
department of state, Washington, an
interesting sketch Of the use and work
ing Of the government loan institutions
Monte iii Pieta) Of Italy. First intro
luced by Bernardo Da Feltri, towards
the close of the fifteenth century, for the
relief Of the INDECENT il at once achieved
success.
The first establishment started with "A
capital Of S2,S9l, which increased
through governmental and private houn-
" to some S3s, 600 in 1531. Profit in
excess Of expenses were divided among
the pledgers, or distributed 10 the city
poor. For four centuries. through po-
litical and social changes Of Italy, the
institution has prospered and enlarged
its work Of aiding the poor, but not en-
richiug itself at their expense.
On the LIST of January, 1876, the OPP
erItions of the Monte Di Pieta, Of
Florence, we're greatly enlarged by the
opening of n new editice. especially and
completely adapted for the reception,
storage and sale Of pledges. II is in
charge OF two stewards only, responsible
under heavy bonds, and appointed for
two years. Business is conducted in
two sections, each for a term Of two
years, the first year for the receipt Of
pledges. ana the second for the liquiia-
tion Of accounts and sale of uuredecmed
pledges. Each section is in charge Of its
steward, so that the receiver Of the one
year beromes the lender the next, and
at the close of the second year his store
ro rms are entirely empty, aud his bal
auce sheet prepared for submission to
the government. with such accuracy that
the deficit for 1876 was but thirty-four
francs out Of the total business Of 8, ,S00,-
900 francs.
The Institution is of great utility 10
all classes; even the higher social classes
resort to 1t without hesitancy for relief
from temporary embarrassment, bu the
iudiyeDt are most especially benefited,
the low charges on their pledges not
being enough to defray even working
expenses, in marked contrast to the ex.
orbitant profits of INSCRIPTIONS private
pawubrokers.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
Growing Up.

Oh to keep them still srou nd us, baby dAr
lngs, fresh and pure,
Mothers smile their pleasures crowning, moth
ers kiss their sorrows' cure.
OA 10 keep the waNen touches, sunny curls
and radiSnt ewes,
pattering feet aud eSger prsttle-sn young
lite's lost paradise.
oae bright head sbova the other. tiny hands
that eipns aud clasp d,
Little forms that close enfolding, all Of love's
best gifts werr grasped;
sporting in the summer sunshine, glAncing
round the winter hearth,
bidding all the bright world echo with their
fearless, careless mirth.
Oh! to keep them, How they Slsddened all
the path from day to day,
What gay drc&mS we fashioned Of them. as in
rosy sleep they lay;
How each broken word Was welcomed, how
each struggling thought WAS hailed.
n each bark sent aoA,iuS soawArd, love-be-
deoked ana tAucy-SAi,d.
Gliding from our jealous watching gliding
from our eingiNg hold,
II, the brave leaves tloom ana burseon, 10 :
the shy, sweet buds nafold.
Fsst % lip snd check Sui trrsscs steals the
msiiyns bashtnl Joy
Fast the flauk, bol1 mans assertion tones the
accents e The boy.
Neither 'oye nor longing keeps them Soon IN
other share than ours
Those Young hands viii seize their weapons
baild their "a. les. plant their flowers
Soon s. fr, sher hope viii brighten the dear eyes
We lra ned % see
soon closer love than ours in those wSkening
hearts viii be.
So it is, and well il is 50, Fast the river neArs
the main,
Backward warnings are but idle; dAwning
never gloNs sgAin.
Slow and sure the distance deepens slow and
sure the links are rent;
!. us p,uck our autumn roses, with their sober
bloom content
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
A Sweet Plant.

Who was the member of the Agassiz
Club victimized with q Christmas pres.
ent of Norway Sensitive Plant pa
little brown thing stuck in an old flower
pot-leahess, but promising sweet per-
turne, il kept in a warm place and water
ed carefully" but which after weeks of
Watching and waiting was found to be q
dead mouse buried head foremost with
its tail in the air.--LGfaHettS (Ind,
Courier
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07
The Worlds Three weaIthIest Men

A report comes from Paris that the
California miner, Mr.. J. w. Mackey, is
going to buy papal earldom, and be-
come IlConte iii Mackey. He has lately
bewildered everybody by the extrava-
gance of his living, and some of the
newspapers have been computing his
fortune together with the fortunes of the
two richest men of the civilized world.
The table shows a heavy balance in his
favor.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-02-07

Herr Zeitteles has devoted eleven
years TO the study Of the phylogeny of
the dog, and comes 10 the conclusion
that neither wolves nor foxes are in
colved in the descent, but that iackals
and the Indian wolf we're the original
canine ancestors. The author recently
read a paper before the Dresden Natu-
ralist's Society " Isis, giving a sketch
Of his researches and the reasons for tho
conclusions at which he had arrived.