davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
Old Bridges In China.

The most remarkable evidence of the
mechanical skill and science Of the
Chinese at an early period, is to be
found in their suspension bridges, the
invention OF which is assigned 10 the Ham
dynasty. According to the current testi-
mony of all their historical and geo.
graphical writer's, Sangleang, the com
mnnder Of the army under Kaou-tsoo,
the first of the Hams, undertook and
completed the formation Of roads through
the mountainous province OF the Shensa
10 the west Of the capital. Hitherto, its
lofty hills and deep valleys had rendered
communication difficult ard circuitous.
With a body Of 100, 900 laborers he cut
passages over the mountains, throwing
the removed soil into the valleys, and
where this was not sufficient 10 raise the
road the required height he constructed
bridges, which rested on pillars or abut-
ments. In another place be conceived
and accomplished the daring project OF
suspending q bridge from one mountain
10 another over a deep chnsm. The
bridges. which are called by the Chinese
writer's, very appropriately, flying
bridges, and are represented TO be
numerous at the present day, are some
times 80 high that they cannot be ira
versed without alarm. One still exist
in Shensa, stretching four hundred feet
from mountain TO mountain over a ehasn
of over five hundred feet. Most of these
flying bridges are so wide that foul
horsemen can ride on them abreast, anc
balustrades are placed on each side tc
protect travellers. IL - by no means inn
probable (as Mr.. Pautheier suggested
that as the missionaries TO China made
known the fact over century and hal
ago that the Chinese had suspension
bridges, and that many Of them wer'
made OF iron, the hint may have beer
taken from thence for similar cOnstruc
tion by European engineers.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28

Ashes of roses is q revived color this
spring.
Button roses will be the favorite roses
this spring.
The new beige color is grayish,
greenish brown or drab.
The popular color this spring is beige
in numerous shades.
Poppies and honeysuckle buds are
favorite artificials this season.
Bonnets are trimmed with shaded
moire and satin-faced ribbons.
Roman pearl beads are used in quaint
ties for trimming spring bonnete.
Pearl fringes and pearl galloons are
seen among spring millinery goods.
Omhre, or shaded moire and satin
faced ribbons, are very fashionable.
Roman pearl beads are made in shaded
colors to match ribbons and other trim
mihgs. A
Velvet striped and plush striped grena
dine GAUGES are used in trimming spring
bonnets.
Very high Spanish combs in silver
flagree, ivory, coral, jet and shell are
very fashionable.
Low necked sleeveless princess dress
es, with long trains and very square cut
pompadour corsages are much worn this
ball season.
The Mercedes coqueterie is beauti-
full improvement on the false fronts
which have become so indispensable
among the toilet effects of ladies.
Ostrich tips, with marabout ends
tipped with pearl beads, and with the
central stem ornamented with tiny sea
shells, are among the novelties in mil
hnery.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28

At certain boarding house in this city
is Young man whose occupation is the
"art preventative" and whose labors
occupy him during those hours when
the majority of mankind is asleep.
OF course he gots hungry, and If accus-
toned 10 get lunch when he starts ont
for his nightly toll. This lunch is done
up in n paper and placed on table IN
the hall OF the boarding house, from
which the young man takes IL when he
goes out. One evening this week as he
went out, he saw two bundles lying
upon the table and unthinkingly took
tho one nearest and carried ii away.
About midnight that unfsiling monitor,
an empty stomach, warned him that
lunch time had arrived, and with high
hopes and keen appetite he took out
his bundle aud opened it, but was struck
all aback 30 find instead OF his coveted
food small package Of neatly folded
handkerchief. which had been placed
upon the table by the lRundrvmRn for
one of the other boarders. Language
fails 10 do Justice to the denouement, and
SO we draw the curtain. --Ncw Bedford
EUening Standard.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28

The Carson New appeal has the
following: In the general freeze which
has converted tho lake into n sea OF ice.
Emerald bay has becn frozen solid 1t
il one vast ledge Of ice from the surface
oi its transparent waters 10 the bottom.
More than ever Is that beautiful bay a
gem Of purest ray serene, crystalized
"a il is and firm set within It's rock
bound shores From some cause best
known 90 themselves, the fish, especially
the trout, have fairly swarmed there.
When the great and sudden freezing
came il imprisoned them by hundreds Of
tons all over the bay. There they are
fixed. like n bee in a drop OF amber. or
course the fishermen Of the Rubicun
aud It's neighborhood are reaping rich
and novel harvest. The present abund-
ance of fish in the Carson market Is due
Ia this remarkable occurrence. Monk
says that the bay presents wonderful
appearance. He says in all truthfulnoss
that Sailor Jack and some associates
have actually sunk winEe in the ice be-
tween the boat landing and Captain
Dicks island, and that by dint OF tunnel
ing and sinking in the solid ice they are
actually mining ont the imprisoned
trout by the cart-load. Hank says he
has an interest IN one OF these extra
ordinary "claims," and that he has
every reason TO expect prompt and nu-
rncrous dividends. This class Of pheno-
mena occnrs only at rare intervals. In
ls45. Back Cove, an arm Of Casco bay,
was a scene OF such freezing as this. All
sorts of salt water fish, such as frequent
the more shallow bays and estuaries,
smelt, tom-cod, cells aud founders were
frozen in and captured by the million.
The tom-cod, when thus frozen, may be
thawed ont in cool water and restored to
life. For this reason this small mem
ber of the finny tribe is known as the
4" frost-fah."
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
How Rancrorr Writes History.

A Washington letter gives the follow
ing Mr.. Bancroft's method of writing
his history, the result OF the experience
of long wears, is peculiar and interest
ing, and he thinks il gives him q grasp
on those conflicting conditions in literary
work-comprehensiveness and compact
ness. He has two secretaries, refer
ence" secretary and writing secre-
tary. They do the work, while he does
the thinking and dictation. When he
begins a new volume he lays ont a plan
for il as minute and detailed as an archi-
tect makes the plan Of house. First
be decides upon the time which II shall
cover, then the epochs of important
events which il shall include. A large
volume Of blank paper Is then taken,
ruled, and dated like diary, and under
each date are entered. with the precision
of an accountant. all the occurrences of
that dav in every corner OF the globe
which relate in any way, near or remote,
10 the American republic. This duty Is
performed by the reference secre-
tary," and for a single volume requires
the labor Of years. With each record
are references 10 the authority upon
which the record is based. and the cir
cumstances in detail under which the
information is obtained. Every existing
work, document, and paper is consult
cd every history OF tradition Of any re-
liability is carefully CLEANED. This
diary being completed, Mr.. Bancroft
takes what he calls "topic book "A
large blank book, like bankers ledger.
which is classified under different heads;
for instance, during the Revolutionary
war, a page would be assigned 30 every
military or official character. and such
heads rs Army" Finance, For
eign Affairs, p" " Campaigns, Legisla-
tion, are scattered through the book.
Under these heads is compiled all the
information contained in the diary,
relating 20 each particular topic 80
when Mr.. Bancroft wishes 10 write n
chapter. for instance, about the military
campaigns" Of the period 20 which the
volume IN devoted. he has all the facts
that can be gained from every possible
source, condensed and classified in their
chronological order When the work is
completed Mr.. Bancroft familiarizes
himself with the contents of the topic
book, marking passages Of importance,
making cross-references and comments
for his own guidance, and indexing che
events in the order in which he intends
10 treat them. Then he dictates to his
"writing secretary" full and complete
narrative of those events, which is laid
away 10 "season, sometimes for
wears. This description OF his method
will give the reader an idea Of the vast
amount of study, investigation, and
thought each volume of Bancroft's
History Of the United States repre-
sents. Mr.. Bancroft is now engaged in
the examination Of the archives Of the
state department in anticipation Of his
next volume. which will comprise the
history of the first twenty years after
the organization OF the government, and
brings his record up TO the war of 1872.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
What He Wanted.

The bolt on the back door had needed
replacing for long time, but il was only
t1e other night that Mr.. ThroctOn had
the presence Of mind to buy a new one
aud take IL home. After supper he
hunted up his tools. removed the old
bolt, and measured the location for the
new one. He must bore some new holes.
aud Mrs. Throcton heard him roaming
around the kitchen and w0Odshed, slam
ming doors, pulling out drawers and
kicking furniture around She went 10
the head Of the stairs, and called down I:
Richard, do you want anythingY
Yes, l do e. he yelled back. Il
want 30 know where that oorkscrew IN p
"Corkscrew, RiehaId2"
Yes, corkscrew I've looked the
house over and can't find il =
"Why, we never had one, Richard.
Didn't, eh5 We've had dozen Of
'em in the last two years. and | bought
one not four weeks ago. It's always the
way when / want anything"
But you must be out Of your head, :"
she said as she descended the stairs.
We've kept house seven years and /
never remember seeing you bring II eUrk-
crew home"
"Oh, yes, I'm out of nv head. I'M Z"
he grumbled, as he pulled out the sew
ing machine drawer and turned over the
contents Perhaps I'd better go 10
the lunatic asylum right away !"
Well, Richard, / know that i have
never seen n corkscrew in this house"
Then YOU are as blind as an owl in
daylight, for I've bought five or SIX.
The house is always upside down, any
how, and never can find anything J"
THE house is kept az well rs any Of
your folks can keep one I" she ret0rted,
growing red in the face.
"Td like NV mother here TO show you
few things. he said, as he stretched
his neck 10 look ON the high shelf in the
pantry.
Perhaps she'll boil her spectaeles
with the potatoes again T. answered the
w:fe.s
"Do YOU know who you are talking
toY" he yelled, as be jumped down.
Yes. / do"
"well. you'll lie going for York State,
II YOU don't look out T.
"Id like 30 see myself When 60
tins house goes
Look out, Nancy -
I'm afraid Of no man that lives. "
I'm leave you T.
"And I'll laugh 10 See you got"
Going close mp 10 her, he extended
his finger. shook il 20 emphasize his
words, and slowly said
Nancy Throcton. III apply for a di-
yorce tomorrow Ill tell the Judge
that ! kindly and lovingly asked you
where the gimlet was, and you said we'd
never had one IN the house, which "a a
bold falsehood, as | can prove Z"
"Gimlet p she exclaimed
Yes, gimlet 2"
"Why, I know where there are three
or four You said curkscrevl"
did Q" he gaspei, sitting down on
the corner Of the table. "Well, now, /
believe / did"
And you went and abused me like
slave because wouldn't say gimlet
was a corkscrew :" she sobbed. falling
on the lounge.
Nancy. he said tenderiy, lifting her
up.
"oh, Richnri,'' she chokingly an
swered.
And that household is so quietly hap
py that canary bird would sing its head
OF If hung up in the hail. Worcester
Gazette.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28

The paraphernalia and animals com
posing Montgomery Queens circus and
menagerie were knocked down piece
meal TO the highest bidder in New York
recently. The World says: The sale
was occasioned by the financial embar-
easements Of Mr.. Queen during the last
season, resulting in total wreck OF his
establishment and handsome fortune.
The affair drew together q large crowd
Of spectators, rs well as quite a number
Of showmen from abroad. IL Was not
until the animals were reached that the
general interest became intense. The
bidding was slow at FIRST, but afterwards
became quite spirited. and when little
competition was indulged in some one
would sing out, "Go in there don't
let the East get away with the West. F"
aud other pleasantries Of a similar
nature. The relative valne of the ami
mails seemed to have no effect upon the
prices offered. An African Gland
was sold for sos 10 Mr.. Burr Robbins
who bought a white deer for S20, a
leopard for S25kfour spotted hyenas for
SS4, three kangaroos for S246, hippo
nutAtllAH lpE S4ubt hAl L1o1 AAAhNAA NeAA
for 800, a striped hyena for $3.50. a
zebu or sacred COW for S32. Mr.. W. W.
Cole bought q zebra for $3.50, an African
lion and lioness. performing animals.
three years old, for 900, n wild boar for
$500, twelve cockatoos for Sl56, two
monkeys for S62, an emu sor 800 and an
elephant for $500. Messrs. Sells
Brothers bought wild gazelle with
silvery feet for s25, gnu for 1915, a
royal Bengal tiger for 5000, a two
horned rhinoceros for SO, 900 aud six
camels and two dromedaries at an aver
age Of s102.50 each. The st. Louis
Geological Garden bought n pair of
Razelles at $50. onepair OF tiger cats at
$50, and one pair OF California lions at
$500. Altogether the sale was an ex-
ceedingly interesting one, and while the
prices realized were not one-fifth OF
the actual value, yet, under the circum-
stances. it could hardly be expected TO
be greater.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
The Farmers Independence.

During these times OF business fail
ures, when men supposed TO be million
aires, by reverses have become bank
rupt, none is 10 free and independent as
the owner and occupier of an unincum-
bered farm. Financial panics and de-
pressions may come and go without
seriously affecting him. For the pro-
ducts of the soil there must be, under
all circumstances, ceaseless and re-
munerative demand. Out of the numer-
GUS business failures throughout the
country, but small per oentage ore
those OF farmers, who, as a rule, go on
prospering despite all monetary vicissi-
tudes and fluctuations.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
PARx, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD,
Itsapons for Ttliass.

Sand, unlike clay and muck, has no
pores for holding water. In sand the
water In held between the particles In
clay and muck il In held both between
and within. This is why muck and clay
shrink by drying, while hand does not
A soil 10 be in the best condition for re-
ceiving and holding the proper Quantity
Of water for plants should be naturally
compact, but light At the surface, and
firm beneath. The old custom, taught
by early writers, OF stirring the surface
soil IN dry weather 10 make ID take IN
water from the atmosphere, Ia al wrong,
for soils do not absorb water from the
atmosphere except In the form Of dew.
When s crust Is formed upon . soil by
rains, il should be broken up 10 prevent
evaporation, Whirh Is very active
through such q crust. But the soil
should be stirred very shallow At such
times stirring deeply and often with
eultivAtor In dry weather tends 30 dry
the soil by exposing large portions OF Il
10 the drying influences Of the atmo@-
phere, but a shallow stirring after a
crust is formed is like cutting q lamp
wick Just above the oil. The connection
il broken in both cases. The best soh
for conserving moisture is that made OF
materials which within themselves fine
tubes from the top 30 the bottom,
through which the moistare low down
can be carried for the uss Of plants The
poorest soil for holding moisture Ia that
with a nne surface, capable u great
evaporation, everything q loose, coarse
sand, incapable Of carrying up water 30
the surface soil though such a sell can
not dry quite mn rapidly after rains Az u
the bottom soil had greater capacity Tor
sucking down capillary moisture. SOILS
need plowing and cnltivAting 10 keep
these capillary tubes active and 10 order.
A dormant soil, like that Of An old now
ing field or pasture, is acted upon BY
every rain, like mason work under the
mason's trowel. The chinks in the sol
are constantly filing. We should ploW
10 break up this mason work, and 10
multiply these water tubes.--Prcfcssor
s. W.. Johnson
Live and Dressed Neaaht sf P@wts-
In marketing fowls the question some
times comes up as 30 the most prohtablc
mode for selling them-whether alive or
dead. In order 10 test this 10 my oEn
satisfaction ] have at different times,
through several yeArs. ascertained and
recorded the facts bearing on this point
The table below gives the result:
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28
Interesting Statistics.

Kansas leads every State IA the Union
in the Yield OF corn per acre, being
/ forty three aud five tenths bushels.
New Hampshire comes next with
yield of forty-two. Vermont follows
with thirty -nina Ohio, thirty-slx and
seven-tenths Wisconsin, thirty four ;
. Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska, thirty ;
Michigan, twenty nine; Missouri,
twenty-seyen and eight-tepths Mime
sofa, twenty five and four-tenths Texas
and Illinois, twenty-siN each.
Illinois takes the lead in the cat crop,
growing 43, TS9, 5Sl ont Of the total
2S2, lO7, l59 bushels
Iowa produces the largest spring
wheat crop OF any State, the production
of the United States being III, $40. 533
) bushels, and that Of Iowa 500, ,3l2
bushels, while WISCONSIN ranks next,
with "A, S75, 4S5 bushels.
Ohio raises the most winter wheat,
. u. .625, 759 Of the l75, 1875, 1913 bushels
produced in the United States. aud also
more than half the iax produced in the
country. The wool yield Of the State Is
one-flith that Of the United States and
double that of California.
PENNSYLVANIA supplies one-hfth of the
rye produced in tins country, or 3,5II-
64l bushels out OF 6,9lS, 795.
California produces the largest barley
crop, or S,TS3, 490 out of total OF
20, 76l ,905 bushels, and also nine-tenths
OF our native silk cOcoOns.
New York in the largest cultivator OF
buckwheat, raising 3, 9O4, $50 Of total
Of 9. S2l, I'll bushels.
Mississippi takes the lead among the
cotton growing States.
Kentucky grows more than half the
hemp crop Of our country.
New York produces more than one
ftth Of the hay crop, or nearly twice as
much IA Penusyl lyania, which furnishes
the next largest figure in that line. Now
York furnishes, also, more than two
thirds Of the hop crop of the country.
South Carolina supplies nearly half
the rice produced in the country.
Georgia is next, or 1000. 600 pounds
ahead of Louisiana. Nearly all the rice
comes from these three States.
OF the az, T34, 34l pounds OF tobacco
produced in the country, l05, ,305. s2S
pounds are grown in Kentucky. Nlr-
ginia comes next, with S,Oe6, ,364
pounds.
Louisiana contributes nearly all the
sugar and nolasses from cane, and Yer
mont nearly one-third Of the sugar of
maple, while New York produces one
fourth the sugar from maple.
Ohio and Indiana produce each one
eighth Of sorghum molasses
New York grows one-fifth Of the whole
potato crop. North Carolina produces
more sweet potatoes than any other
State.
New York raises one-fft of the ma
tional supply Of peas and beans.
California produces more than one
half the native wine.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-03-28

These fowls were all Of the light
Brahma variety, and most Of them young
cocks. The loss in dressing for market
was probably somewhat gneater than Is
usually the case. as the heads were cut
OF in order 20 avoid the barbarons mode
Of throat sticking, and the wing and tail
feathers we're also stripped Of. AT six
teen cents per pound alive they would
have brought $s.43. To bring this sum
dressed, they should sell for 1876 oepts
per pound, with nothing Tor the work OF
picking. And dressed. drawn, etc, they
should bring a very small fraction over
TWENTY-FIVE cents q pound, also without
paw for the extra work. These figures
will be useful 30 some persons who DO
not raise their own poultry for the table,
as they can, by their light, make pretty
close estimate whether IL is cheaper to
buv chickens "un the hoof for their
tables, or buy OF the market men dressed
that ia, with heads, tails, entrAils and
wing feathers all thrown in. Dressed IN
this wav, which is the fashionable way,
the loss in preparing them for cooking
will be more than ! have figured it-say
at least thirty per centum instead OF
about twenty-eight and one-half, and It
may even reach thirty-three or thirty
four.-Lctter 10 Country Gentleman
Hsu.ehsld ulnta-
FINGER MARKS. Finger marks may
be removed from vanished furniture by
the use Of a little sweet oil upon a soft
rag Patient rubbing with chIoroform
will remove paint from black silk or any
o4har material
To REMOVE SPors OF BLACKISa PROM
CARPET. Spots Of blackIng may be
taken from carpets with n MIXTURE OF one
ounce Of powered borax, dissolved IN
one quart Of boiling water and small
piece OF soap, about the sire of walnut,
cut fine and dissolved with the borax |;
bottle this up, and use TO take spots
from carpets or clothes.
FoR PREPARING LARD TO KEEP THROUGH
THE SuMMKR. To one gallon OF lard put
one ounce OF sal soda. dissolved IN gill
OF water. Do not fill your kettles more
than half full. for il will foam and perhaps
boil over. No other water Ia required
than what the soda IL dissolved IN.
When il Is done il will be very clear,
and will keep two years. Strain through
a coarse cloth and set away.
Dissolve three pounds sal-soda
in two gallons Of water slack IN hrkln
three pounds of good quick-lime add
20 il the soda solution stir the whole
thoroughly with n stick, and add two
gallons Of boiling water stir again and
let il settle pour of the clean liquor IN
clean iron boiler placed on the fire,
aud stir into il six pounds OF clarified
grease and one pound Of powered bonx;
let IT boil slowly until it gets ropy,
(ahout ten minutes bolling) and pour 1t
into q tub or tight box; this makes
good hard soap for family use after
driving n month or 80 in dry room, and
cut into bars, il is fit for use.