davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
Battle of the BOas.
loinoinnati Commercial.

In the afternoon of Saturday there
was an exciting scene in the house at
the Geological Garden occupied by the
dozen huge boa constructors recently
imported from South America. One OF
the snakes had crept up the branch OF
the tree that was occupied by another.
At this the one with pre-empted claim
to this particular resting place seemed
to take serious offense, for it suddenly,
having taken two three tight coilsaround
the limb, arched its neck, and with
lightning-like Hastings of its tongue
shot forth its head and buried one of its
fangs in the skin of the other at about
its middle. The bitten boa, instead of
striking back, Immediately let go its
hold on the limb, and dropped of, its
entire length of nine feet hanging down,
partly in the air and partly on the floor.
1t was held thus by the fangs of the at
lacking boa, that remained caught in a
loop Of the skin. This placed both
snakes in "a position of pain. The biter's
neck was pulled out as taut as stick
by the weight that it could not shake
off, and its jaws were wrenched wide
apart. 1t seemed that it either lacked
the instinct to release itself of its coils
on the limb, or was prevented from so
doing by the strain. The other snake,
evidently suffering from the wounds and
the strain on its skin, was writhing in
pain, with its tail on the floor and its
body and neck squirming in the air.
Occasionally it would raise its head as
if to strike the other in the neck,
but was not observed to do 80. At last
one of the attendants opened the door,
and with a stick raised up the lower
snake in such way that it managed to
wiggle off that ugly hook. The other
snake then dropped to the floor. 1t ap
peared to be suffering greatly, and there
is fear that it may die. The bitten snake
does not seem to suffer much.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
A Pithy Reply.

Some forty or fifty years ago Ven
etian squadron, commanded by Emo, a
Captain oil reputation, anchored in a
little bay near the village of Calouri, in
Corfu, one of the most secluded spots in
the world, inhabited by race Of most
primitive people, whose only produce
was pitch, which they obtained of very
excellent quality from the pines that
covered their soil. Emo had heard of
this famous pitch, and sent by special
messenger a letter conceived in the
usual magniloquent style of Venetian
official documents, requiring and en-
treating the Syndicks, Primates or
Governors, as they might style them
selves, of the loyal village of Calouri,
as faithful and industrious friends and
allies, in the name of the most illustrious
Republick, to consign to his trusty mes
senger twelve barrels of the said COLI
modify called pitch, in lieu whereof he
in the name of the Republick, promised
agreed and offered to give any remuner
alton that might be required, provided
always, that the same should be withir
the bounds of moderation. And pray
ing that all prosperity, etc., etc." Tit
old men of the village, who had nevel
heard of Emo or of Venice, assembled
under the trees, where debates were al
ways held they turned the letter owe
and over, wondering why Emo or an.
other mortal should send such a string
of compliments to handful of poo
peasants, and at last Ito come to the emf
of the story an answer was written an,
sent, in these words: eve, of Calouri
to Emo, the Admiral; send us you
money, and you shall have our pitch.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
A Doctors Advice.

DIR. Charley Judkins, says the Cincin-
natl Saturday Night, is one of the most
generous hearted physicians in the city,
as he is one of the most skillful, but he
does get tired occasionally of charging
up accounts on his books that are never
settled. The other day a stranger came
to him to be treated for rheumatism.
He said he had had it, "off and on" for
twelve years. He hadn't any money, he
said, but he expected some next week,
and would call and pay. "You've had
the rheumatism twelve years, you say p
asked the doctor. eyes, twelve long,
weary years." "And you'll have some
money next week." eyes, sir, next
week, sure" WE'LL" returned the
doctor, "If you've had the rheumatism
twelve years, / reckon another week
won't hurt you much. Come next week
when you have the money" The man
never got around.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
CAR lighting is problem which occu-

CAR lighting is problem which occu-
pies the minds of inventors as well as
the railway authorities. The "dim,
religious light" of candles is about
enough to show how gloomy car can
be at night. Oil lamps in cars have
been rather at discount since the terri
BILE accident which they caused on a
Canadian railroad some years ago. The
Railway Age suggests that small ma
chine be attached to a locomotive and
run by steam from the boiler which will
generate electricity enough to light
every passenger car to the brilliancy of
day. The plan should please the train
men, as their work would only be the
easy and simple connection of wire or
two when the car was coupled on.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
Funerals.

1t is said that in Philadelphia, more
than any other city, funerals have de.
generated into fashion and fine art.
Until within year or two, every house
in which death occurred was closed for
twelve months, and each window draped
with black. Nothing could be more
lugubrious than the aspect of the
streets. This custom has fallen partially
into disuse, but the fashionable under
taker still maintains his absolute sway.
The moment that the breath is out of
the body, he takes possession of the
house, mourners. corpse and all, and
orders every detail to suit his memorable
rules. The most agonizing grief must
conduct itself in harmony with his pomp
of mutes, flowers, plnmes, etc.
A story is told of young fellow, a
sincere mourner for his father, who had
become utterly disguised by the mockery
of woe about him, when the undertaken,
while arranging the coffin, applied his
handkerchief to his eyes. His assistants
at once followed his example. The
young man tapped him on the shoulder.
None of thatp he said, sharply,
none of that" The man of woe in
stantly put his handkerchief in his
pocket, and turned on him, smiling
blandly.
Just as you please, Mr.. c., just as
you please. Some families prefer it,,
and some do not"
The extent to which fashionable folly
has been carried in funerals has lately
caused wholesome reaction in that
city. In families of the highest culture,
the dead are put out of sight with abso-
lutte quiet und simplicity, attended to
the grave only by those who loved them
best. 1t would be well if Boston and
New York would also follow the dictates
of good taste and good feeling in this
matter.
Among the ignorant poor, the desire
TO make parade of funeral is we'll
nigh universal. A poor woman died
lately of starvation. A subscription was
started for the children, and the
Weather neighbors shocked into kindly
feeling, gave literally. But the whole
fund was spent in hacks, candles, high
mass, etc. "Who would begrudge a
poor sowl that had starved to death
dacent buryin'?"
Doctor lie Moyne who has built Gre
mation-fuinace in Pennsylvania, was, it
is said prompted TO do 80 by his disgust
at the vulgar display of fashionable
funerals, aud his desire to provide u
cheap and simple mode of disposing of
the dead.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

Mrs. Schrand stated that she had read
the accounts of her death in the papers
of the preceding day, and had come to
town to see why things were thus. The
inquest was at once brought to ter
mination, and new one ordered for the
next day, in the hope that the body may
this time be properly identified. The
acquaintance of Mrs. Schrand, and
those who saw the corpse when it was
taken from the water, are wondering
over the similarity of the two, as they
were alik as two peas.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
REEFsTEAK DUEL

A BEEFsTEAK DUEL.-The Paris
papers are telling story of a beefsteak
duel-of course it is an Englishman who
is the challenger, and the Frenchman is
induced to go through the ordeal by the
Englishman's temptation of the offer of
points--that is, he undertakes to eat ten
steaks, and and then start fair. Eating
begins for $1,000 side, and as usual,
Mr.. Frenchman leads off SO voraciouslv
that he is done up at the eighth beef
steak, but the Englishman goes on to
the twenty-second, and only stops when,
on calling for more, he is told that he has
swallowed all in the house, and he must
wait until another bullock is killed for
him. In order to show the substantial
character of the gorge, it is carefully
noted that the steaks weighed half a
pound each.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
Edison at Home.

IccrlDner LOT November
OF the number of persons in the lab
oratory, remark principally the one
you may have least thought of selecting,
from the informality of his appearance.
The rest are but skillful assistants, to
whom he is able to commit some expert
ments in their secondary stages. 1t is q
figure of perhaps five feet nine in
height, bending intentiy above some
detail of work. There is general APP
pearance of youth about it, but the face,
knit into anxious wrinkles, seems old.
The dark hair beginning to be touched
with gray, falls over the forehead in a
mop. The hands are stained with acid,
and the clothing is of an ordinary,
ready-made order. 1t is Edison. He
has the air of mechanic, or more def
nitely, with his peculiar pallor, of a
night-printer. His features are large
the brow well shaped, without unusual
developments; the eyes light gray; the
nose irregular, and the mouth display
ing teeth which are, also, not altogether
regular. When he looks up his atten.
ton comes back slowly, as if it had been
long way off. But it comes back fully
and cordially, and the expression of the
face, now that it can be seen, is frank
and prepossessing. A cheerful smile
chases away the grave and somewhat
weary look that belongs to it in its mo-
ments of rest. He seems no longer old
He has almost the air of big, careless
school-boy released from his tasks.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
ship implies equality, and he will toler-
ate no equals"

EVIDENTLY Lord Beacons6eld means
to pay double compliment to the
traditional loyalty of the Canadians, by
sending out another member of the
royal family, the Duke of Edinburg, to
escort his royal sister, the wife of the
Marquis of Lorne. The demonstrations
of the Canadians on the arrival of this
Royal delegation will be of the most ex-
uberant character.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

AT a polital meeting in Buffalo, the
other day, where large number of
smokers were together, one gentleman
remarked that it was no pleasure to him
to smoke in the dark; and the discussion
spreading, it was discovered that no.
body had ever been heard of who did
enjoy pipe or cigar when he couldn't
see the smoke. Is this universal ex-
nerience2
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

WE are requested by a. pale. sad
spirited father to insert the following !:
"Johnny P.-All is forgiven. Come
home. Father is recovering from the
explosion and has bought new pipe.
The minister has forgiven you for plac-
ing that bucket Of water over the door;
Your sister Annie longs to see you and
says you may keep the gold pen # you
will restore her teeth. The dog is still
living, but its hair is all singed of, the
cat is getting along nicely, and the cook
is convinced you meant no harm when
you put pepper on the stove.' Johnny
YOU had better come home, the country
can't spare any of its energetic and
promising boys eokuk Constitution,
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

TALK about hard times in America !
A Detroit shoe dealer advertised few
days ago in all the city papers for hands
instead of feet. Only five responded.
A London, Eng, firm advertised re-
Gently for ten shoemakers and received
1885 applications as candidates for the
bench. Another advertisement in the
London Times, one insertion, for col
lector, work hard and wages low, re
ceived 1900 replies, nearly all from
men of apparently good education and
character, many of them from gentlemen.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

SMALL game, such as rabbits, par
tridges and squirrels, haven't been so
thick in years as they are this season.
The re@son why is that last winter was
unusually mild. Very cold weather kills
them off. Heavy snow invaribly de-
creases the number of cartridges, for
they have practice of plunging into it
and remaining there for some time. If
while they are in it crust forms they
are imprisoned and die ere they can re-
lease themselves.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

IT is over a hundred years since
George Washington set up this Re
public, yet his monument, except in the
hearts of his countrymen, is still unfn-
ished A hundred years ago Kane
hameha organized the Sandwich Islands
and became the first king of that
country. A big bronze statue of Ka-
mehameha has been bargained for in
Boston and will soon be ready. Thus
Kamehameha is first in the pockets of
his countrymen, if George is first in the
hearts of his.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

The Chinese population of San Fran
cisco has been lately reported as $4,000,
including 1000 servants. OF cigar
makers there are 5000; of tailors, 8 600
of boot and shoer1akers, 2, 800; laundry
men, 1900; merchants and professional
men, 1000; professional gamblers,
], 400; peddlers, $500, while the rest
are fishermen, laborers, and miscella-
neous. There are 1900 women.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

In this age of progression it is.rather
curious TO see town go backwards.
Westhampton, Mass, celebrated its
centennial on Sunday by religious and
secular services in it's one church. 1t
has neither railroad nor manufactures,
a few of the natives a re left, and foreign
ers have taken possession of the soil
The population fifty years ago was eight
hundred, thirty years ago seven hun
dred, twenty years ago six hundred, and
now it is FIVE hundred and decreasing.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

BARON RoTHscHILD, who must be
worth as much as two or three hundred
million dollars, has had built private
railway carriage at cost of one hun
bred thousand francs. In France no
wagon parlicutier, or private car is al.
lowed on express trains, but the Baron
is never in hurry.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

So many unfortunate business men
have grown rich by failure, through
taking advantage of the recently sus-
pended bankrupt law, that number of
envious merchants now regret that the
profits of bankruptcy were not more APP
parent before the law was repealed.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

BISMARCK is looking for the editor of
the London Standard, who, short time
ago, wrote to him: Bismarck is essen
tally a combative statesman. He is
quick to discover foes, and almost as
ready in making them. He expects ser
wants and followers to be found for
him. Friends he has none, for friend
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

WE have done very well at the Paris
Exposition, after all. In agricultural
implements we take all the highest
prizes, all the second and majority of
the third. In machinery, scales, instru-
ments of precision, beer and parlor
organs, we rank first. In dental instru-
ments, we, as usual, pass all competitors
In books we take three of the five
prizes; in gold work, street cars, print
ing presses, sewing machines and
canned goods the highest honors.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

AN important experiment is being
tried in the Boston public schools,
where books have been excluded from
the primary departments, and oral ex-
ercises and object lessons substituted.
The young pupils are especially taught
to express IDEAS in their own language.
The teachers lecture, or talk, daily about
such knowledge as little children may
best acquire.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

A FARMER of Reno County, Kss.,
coming across rattlesnake, tied his
reins in bunch and killed it Herewith.
Subsequently he united the knot with
his teeth, and the poison thus got into
his system and drove him mad.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09
VOLUME vi.
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

THREE more heavy failures are an
nounced from Great Britain, the liabili-
ties in one case amounting 10 over ten
million dollars. The storm and stress
period in the British financial world, it
is feared, is at hand.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

The greatest trigonometricsl opera
tion ever yet attempted, the junction of
the Spanish and Algerian triangulations,
is about to be undertaken. The Spanish
engineers are posted at Sierra Nevada
and Mount Tetica, the French at
Filiaoussen,. near Nemours, and Ben
Sabra, near Oran.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

PARIS hotels are financially embar-
raised, with few exceptions, and several
have already closed. Their present con-
dition may be set down as the result of
greed. Mr.. Partisan Bonifsce has over
reached himself, and taken a very
heavy tumble.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

Iris a matter of congratulajion that
although the preparation of our Gov
eminent for the American exhibit at
the Paris Exposition was greatly de-
layed, the aggregate of awards to ex-
hibitors from the United States is larger
proportionally than to any other nation
represented at the Exposition
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

A MAN has been arrested in Liver
pool for stealing buttons from mems
coats. In his rooms were found thou
sands of buttons of every variety. He
would be a good fellow to play tina
game of Button, button-whose got
the hutton %
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

BICYCLES are as popular as ever in
England, and new bicycle clubs are
continually formed. Recently a. man
went from Liverpool to London on one
OF these affairs in two and half days
What he went for we don't know.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

The Widow Oliver is still pursuing
old Simon Cameron. The other day she
asked a prominent lawyer to undertake
her breach of promise suit, but he de-
clined, giving as reason that she had
accepted one thousand dollars from the
ex-senator, given, not as the settlement
of any claim, but as the readiest way of
stopping scandal.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

A KENTUCKY paper says a whole
family in Adair County, in that State,
are afflicted with leprosy in its most
loathsome form. They have no eye
brews or eyelashes, their hair has all
come out, leaving the scalp bare, and
the skin peals off in rough scales, leav-
the the skin of a deep scarlet color.
They are stunned by everybody.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

The arrest and incarceration of the
Glasgow Bank managers have naturally
caused a profound sensation in Scot
land, for they were persons of great
wealth and responsibility. Public
opinion, however, approves the act, and
it is likely to go hard with the bold
financiers before they see the end of
Scotch Justice.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

The new Canadian Cabinet is com
plete. The Dominion, it is asserted,
will now be run on the principle of
Canada for the Canadians" 1t is
equivalent to filing notice, upon the
sprig of royalty that is about to arrive
from the mother country, not to assert
the empire too strongly in his admins
tration.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

IT is left for futurity to produce two
men who have Sufficient Christian grace
to occupy different Offices on the second
floor of building, and then not wait
for each other to sweep the stairs
Fulton Times
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

A CERTAIN rural editor announces
that he intends to wage war on fraud as
long as he can raise hand. 1t is no
use to undertake to convert women from
painting their cheeks. They will do it.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

WHAT our contempts do often hurl
from us we wish ours again.
The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-11-09

WHERE there's will, there's Flea OF
insanity.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-09-12

If this plan were adopted, men would
not pledge themselves, Except to personal
friends). until the candidates were before
the public, and an opportunity was had
to compare their merits and claims.
While do not think this would make
the operations Of our political machine
all that they ought to be, yet I do believe
1t would be q long step in that direction
I have talked with several men about this
matter, and without exception, they have
approved of this plan, and now l would
ask of every man, who thinks the adop
ton of what I have proposed, would be
beneficial, to express himself publicly
and privately. Let us bring to bear an
influence III favor Of tins plan, which will
cause its adoption. No doubt many can
didatcs would be glad to act on the sug
gcstion, did not their modesty deter them
from breaking over the established order
of things, but nevertheless, gentlemen
candidates, announce yourselves; tina
very act will be presumptivc of YOU
fitness for the position which you seek
NJ. NJ. TROwBRIDGE.
LYLE, Sept. 2, 1873.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-09-12

\ FEARFUL disaster occurred in the
Thames off Woolwich, last week, whereby
some 600 lives were lost. An excursion
steamer was run down by a heavy screw
steamer and sunk in five minutes. Most
Of the pleasure seekers lost were women
and children. Few life buoys were on
board and the boats were entirely inad-
eQuatc even had they been launched, and
so with no possibility Of succor the az
frighted passengers rushed from the sink
ing bow to the sinking stern and amid
fearful cries and appeals for help which
could not come, all but about 100 of the
large crowd of 800 went down. 1t pains
one to picture the despalring scene.
This horror, following so soon the sink
ing of the German war.ship in the chan
mel, causes distrust and demands an ef-
fectual preventative against recurrence.
Some one must surely be culpable when
q disaster oc this fearful kind occurs in
broad day light, as did the one, or IN
early twilight. as did this last.
Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1878-09-12

Tu1s is the way Of the world. While
Hay es, the fourth president of the Re-
publican party, was being cheered and
farewclled from Chicago on last Wedncs-
day, John c. Fremont, the first standard
Learer of the noble cause which called
that party forth, entered the city unno-
ticed. John G. Fremont true, noble
hearted man, who IN '56 accepted the
leadership and certain defeat, for the sake
of principle, and who was one Of the
fathers of the party, is cast aside as scarce
worthy Of hon or, while Hayes, of whose
title the less said the better said, receives
the homage Of the people. AS General
Fremont and his accomplished wife pass
ell silently through the streets Of Chicago,
that city which of all others should cher
isl his memory because Of the CONNER
c,al advantage gained by the Pacific rail
roads planned by him, we wonder if he
thought, like Tlmon Of Athens, upon the
forgelful ingratitudc Of that chicfcst H.
grate-the people.