davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20
NO. 1854
FACTS WORTH REMEMBERING,

One thousand shingles laid four inches to
the weather will cover 100 square feet of
surface, and five pounds of shingle-nails will
fasten them.
One-fifth more siding and flooring is needed
than the number of square feet of surface
to be covered, because of the lap in the sid
ing and matching of the floor.
One thousand laths will cover seventy
yards of surface, and eleven pounds of lath-
nails will nail them on.
Eight bushels of good lime, sixteen bush
els Of sand and one bushel of hair will make
enough mortar to plaster 100 square yards.
A cord of stones, three bushels of lime
and cubic yard of sand will lay 100 cubic
feet of wall.
Five courses of brick will lay one foot in
height on chimney. Nine bricks in
course will make a fue eight inches wide
and twenty inches long, and eight bricks in
course will make flue eight inches wide
and sixteen inches long.
A box twenty eight inches by sixteen
inches square, and twenty y-eight inches deep,
will contain barrel.
A box wenty-eight inches by fifteen and
one-fifth inches square, and eight inches
deep, will contain bushel.
A box twelve inches by eleven and one
half inches square, and nine inches deep,
will contain half-bushel
A box eight inches by eight inches square
and eight inches deep, contains peck.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

The FUNNYGRAFF.-''Sam what am
youah sentimental 'pinion bout de funny
graff?''
"Why, de funnygraff, Cassius, am one
ode most strawnary conventions ebah abor-
ing mated"
81 heahd de ole squiah readin' de scrip
tion Nv it to his wife dis mawnin' but
somehow 1 couldn't jis azackly git it froo
my wool. Mebby you can splain it to me,
Sam ?''
''Oh, you bet kin. Well, you see, dey
jist fixes kind O. bar'l wild dry sheepskin
inside Nv it, an den you tu'ns crank an,
whistles an sings an talks froo hole an
de SCUM makes de sheepskin fly up an hit
de crank, an deys pins in dat crank, an
de pins punches hole froo the sheepskin
an then de SCUM comes belin' back agin.
Don't you un'stan now, Cassius?''
"Duz ye s'pose lie fool, Sam, not to
un'stan' fling like that? Uu'stan dat!
Well, I reckon l duz!'
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20
INFLUENCE OF THE MOON ON CROPS.

There has been always popular super
stition that the moon exerted great ipfu-
ence upon the affairs of mankind, but this
idea has prevailed chiefly among those who
did not understand the utter impossibility
that the moon could exert any such infu-
ences. Formerly, the stars were supposed
to assist the moon in these interferences
with mankind and their labors, and to be
able to "read the stars' was equivalent to
the possession of prophetic powers Now
the stars have lost this reputation, and the
moon is in fair way to lose what little is
left to it. Formerly, crazy people were
"moonstruck," but now, when we see a
tunatac, derived from luna, the moon, and
really meaning ''moonstruck') we do not
blame the moon for it. The moon has now
fallen SO low as to be supposed by some to
influence only the twining of the beans on
the poles, the planting of seeds, for vast
ing of fat pork in the pan, unless it was
killed under growing moon, and the max
ing of soft soap. To reasonable person
this seems small business for the moon to
be engaged in, or very unlikely thing that
the moon can exert any such Influences
If the test is made. it will be found that
there is not the least difference in the
growth of crops, the spending of fat pork,
the successful making of soft soap, or any
other of our common labors from the moons
influence. If any difference occurs it will
be from other causes, such as soil, weather,
etc. Lastly, it is absolutely certain that
the moons influence on our atmosphere is
SO very small that it cannot even affect the
weather in the least.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A curious popularity of the baobab tree,
found in Africa and Madagascar, is, that
scarcely any injury will destroy it. Fire
scorching the exterior does not impair its
vitality. Nor can it be injured from within
as it is quite common to find it hollow
Even cutting it down does not exterminate
it, for it continues to grow in length while
lying on the ground, and its roots, which
reach forty or fifty yards from the trunk,
retain their vitality. Although the tree at
tains an enormous age, Livingstone having
examined one which he judged to be one
thousand four hundred years old, it is at
tackled by disease which affects it's woody
structure, so in course of time it's own
weight causes it to fall in mass of rnins.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

THE MANS AND WoMAN's WAY OF SAY
ING THINGs.-Look at the ridiculous way
in which man takes for granted that wo
man will be interested in his savings and
doings. If his wife has long story to tell
him, she is filled with misgivings lest it may
tire him, she leaves out many picturesque
touches that she may not take up his time.
and, even on the hand -gallop, she has not
arrived within call of her conclusion when
he asks with confusing directness: "Well,
how did it turn out?' But the man ha
never misgiving that he will he hurried O.,
that life has anything better to offer than
listening to him. He begins his story at its
earliest morning stages, and lopes leisurely
to its close; or, if it is rapid, he gives it
rapid transit, but he never omits anything
on his wife's account. He tells what he
said and what the other man said, and what
the other man might have said, and what
he would have said had the other man said
what he might have said. And the worst
OF it is-the fatal point is-that his conf
dence is justified. The woman IS interested.
The mans talk takes her out of her own
Into larger life, and she not only tolerates
but enjoys it; and what are you going to do
about it?-Gail Hamilton.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20
WHAT TEMPERANCE DID.

My story, marm? Well really, now, 1 have not
much to say;
But if you'd called year ago, and then again to-
day.
No need of words to tell you, marin, for your own
eyes could see
How much the Temperance Cause has done for
my dear John and me.
A year ago we hadn't flour to make a batch of
bread.
And many a night these little ones went supperess
to bed;
Now look into the larder, marm-there's sugar.
-four and tea;
And that's what the Temperance Cause has done
for John and me-
The pail that holds the butter, John used to fill
with beer;
But he hasn't spent cent for drink for two months
and year;
He pays his debts, is strong and well as any man
can be;
And that's what the Temperance Cause has done
for John andm
He used to sneak along the streets feeling so mean
and low,
As if he didn't like to meet the folks he used to
know;
But now he looks them in the face, and steps off
bold and free;
And that's is what the Temperance Cause has done
for John and me.
A year ago these little boys went strolng through
the streets,
With scarcely any clothing on their backs, and
nothing on their feet;
But now they've shoes and stockings and garments
as you see;
And that is what the Temperance Cause has done
for John and me.
The children were afraid of himhis coming stopped
their play;
But now, when supper time is DER and the table
cleared away,
The boys all frolick round his chair, the baby
climbs his knee;
And that is what the Temperance Cause has done
for John and me.
All, those sad days are over, of sorrow and of
pain;
The children have their father back and my
John again!
1 Ipray excuse my weeping marm-theyre tears of
joy, to see
How much the Temperance Cause has done for
my dear John and me.
Each morning, when he goes to work, upward
look and say:
"oh, Heavenly Father, help dear John to keep, his
pledge to-day!'
bended knee,
For what the Temperance Cause has done for my
dear John and me-
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

GAPEs IN CHICKENs.-For this trouble.
some disease, the following has been found
to be an excellent remedy.-Pluck the web
from both sides of feather, leaving the
tip, which wet with solution of 30 drops
ofcarbolic acid and or. ofglycerine; run the
feather down the wind-p give it three or
four turns and withdraw quickly; repeat a
few times with new feather. The acid
paralyses and the glycerine sticks the
worms to the feather, so that they can be
drawn out. In treating sick fowls, all
matter, &c., should be burned, to prevent
exposure to the rest.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

FATTENING BRIDES. Throughout the
Empire of Morocco there are villages where
the elder members of the adult population
follow professionally the pursuit of fatten-
ing young ladies for the matrimonial mar
ket of Barbary. The Moors, like the Turks
and most other Orientals give decided
preference to "moonfaced" wives over lean
ones, and are more solicitous as to the num-
Der of pounds which their brides weigh than
about the stock of accomplishments which
they possess. A girl is put under the pro-
cess of fattening when she is about twelve
years of age. Her hands are tied behind
her, and she is seated on carpet during SO
many hours every day, while her 'spapa''
stands over her with mairague, or big
stick, and her mother at times pops into
her mouth a ball of couscoussou, or stiff.
made porridge, kneaded up with grease,
and just large enough to be swallowed with
out the patient choking. If the unfortunate
girl declines to be crammed, she is COM
PEELED; SO that ere long the poor girl resigns
herself the torture, and gulps down the bo-
luses lest she should be beaten.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

very simple method of postal delivery is
said to prevailin Spanish provincial town.
Those who expect letters come to the post
office and form queue. The postmaster
then hands all the letters he has received,
in basket, to the first conner, who looks
through them leisurely, takes his own, if
any, and passes the basket to the person
Immediately behind him, and this goes on
till the basket is emptied or the queue ex-
hauSted.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

Life would be impracticable unless it
were the primary rule to believe what is
told US. There is not single relation in
adult life in which we are not compelled to
depend upon the word of another-of a hus-
band, wife, friend, an agent We be-
heve certain things respecting them-in
their honor, their chastity, their affection,
their faithfulness. TO what kind of condi-
tion would life be reduced if we were to ap-
ply to these matters ''the universal duty of
questioning all that we believe ?''
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A man now a-days, must have something
OF the steam-engine in him. A lazy, snail
paced fellow might have got on in the world
fifty years ago, but he won't do these times.
We live in an age of quick ideas; men
speak quick, think quick, and slow coaches
amt tolerated. "Be up and dressed'' al
ways-not gaping and rubbing your eyes,
as if you were half asleep, but wide awake
for whatever may turn up, and you may be
somebody before you die. Think, plan, re-
fleet as much A. you please before you act
but think quickly and closely.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A night or two ago I called to boy to
come and black my boots; as he went to
work he passed the stump of cigar he had
in his mouth to little mite of an urchin,
who didn't seem to be more than six years
old, but who seized the stump eagerly and
began putting away at my side. l ventured
to him the advice that he was too young a
boy to smoke, and that he should wait few
years; to which the youngster, who came
about up to my knee, answered with the
greatest calmness between the puffs, "Well,
yer see, when feller gets the habit, it's
hard to give it up"
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

The Baltimore boy who fastened crab
on his playfellow's uncommonly big nose,
just for fun, was arrested and taken to a
police court; but he put parts of himself in
evidence to prove that he had been tre-
mendously spanked for his misconduct, and
the magistrate let him go without further
punishment.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

"Now, Willie, do have little courage.
When have powder to take l don't like it
any more than you do, but make up my
mind that will take it and l do" "And
when l have powder to take,' replied
Willie, 81 make up my mind that WON'T
take it, and l don't.''
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

"Does your sister Annie ever say anything
about me, sissy" asked an anxious lover
of little girl. eyes" was the reply; s'she
said if you had rockers on your shoes they
make nice cradle for my doll"
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

There are different ways of looking at a
thing. An Indianapolis saloon keeper the
other day, while bewailing to friend the
sad state of his business, looked towards
the spire of a new church which was creep
ing heavenward, and CALCULATED; "Them's
the things that's ruinin' the country
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

"No ma'am," he murmured, as he
handed back the pants to Warren street
housekeeper. ''No, ma'am, l am just as
much obleeged, but, even if am beggar,
my feelin's won't allow me to wear pants
which amt got springs on the bottom
Syracuse Times
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

The fashion reporter who wrote with ref
erence to belle ''Her feet were encased in
shoes tnat might be taken for fairy boots''
tied his wardrobe up in a handkerchief and
left for parts unknown when it appeared
the next morning: "Her feet were encased
in shoes that might be taken for ferry boats
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A woman in London advertises her ability
to make women beautiful, starts scrofu
lous rash out on them, and then blackmails
them into paying immense sums to have it
removed.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

Col. Ingersoll wept when he heard Lotta
sing the "Sweet Bye and Bye" May be.
But he would swear if he could hear the
young man over the way play it on an ac-
ordeon.-Burlsngton Hasok-eye.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A silver mine, which is said to be un-
usually rich, has, according to the Norwe-
gian papers, been discovered in the Naur
valley. The discoverer expects to receive
a government grant Of about $400, 900.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A newspaper biographer, trying to say
his subject twas hardly able to bear the de-
mise Of his wife," was made by the inexor-
able printer to say, 'wear the chemise of
his wife,
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

In recent case for assault, the defendant
pleaded guilty. think l must be guilty."
said he, 'because the plaintiff and 1 were
the only ones in the room; and the first
thing knew was that was standing up.
and he was doubled over the table. You'd
better call it guilty."
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

A little girl, being reproved the other day
by her elder sister for using slang expires
sion, sharply retorted, "Well, if you went
into society more, you would hear slang"
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20

Just before he was laid in the tomb, in a
speech at Washington City Vice President
Wilson said: probably we have 10000
churches in this land, so, 600 or 60, 900 cler-
gymen at least; and 100000 church mem
bers. The ministers of these churches pro-
fess to believe that God had placed us here
to prepare ourselves for higher and better
life. They profess to believe that they have
consecrated themselves, all they are, all
they hope to be, to the cause of the Divine
Master. Now we have in the United States
hundreds of thousands of poor drunkards.,
The human mind cannot fathom the evils
and the sufferings the habitual use of intox-
icating liquors bring upon its victims.-
Thousands of the young men of this coun-
try are going headlong to ruin. Nobody
can doubt it, everybody sees it, everybody
feels it. Where are the voices of the 60, 900
clergymen? Where are the activities of
the 6,O00 900 of church members of the
United States? I say: to- night, I have lit
tie hope for the trinmph of the temperance
cause until large proportion of the clergy
men and protesting Christians of this land
rise up to the duties of the occasion.
call upon every Christian minister of this
land, and every member of the Church of
Christ, upon every man and woman, to
come up and aid this work by precept and
example.
West-Jersey pioneer., 1878-06-20
A WOMAN'S CONSCIENTIOUSNEsS.

The Haverhill (Mass.) Gazette has cores
pondent who tells the following story: "Per-
haps the reader has noticed, while journey
ing upon the Boston Lowell Railroad at
Willow Bridge, Somerville, plain but sub
stantial neat brick house upon the hill, only
a moments walk from the station. It's
doors have not been opened for 12 years.
Twelve years ago one of the smartest me-
chanics to be found in our bustling CITY,
young, handsome, whose only apparent for
tune was his daily wages, of which he was
very careful, saving all he could for the one
bright object of his life, which was to mar
ry her whom he had won, as soon as they
could get money enough to commence house.
keeping. She was conscientious to a fault,
brought up in the most puritanical of Pur-
itan families, good, pure, and beautiful.
One bright morning in Spring he invited her
to take drive in the suburbs. They halted
after about an hours drive in front of this
house. He asked her how she liked it. Of
course she wished it was theirs; they could
be so happy if they only had home like
that. He invited her in. The house was
just completed, and very nicely furnished.
Judge of her surprise when he quietly in
formed her that the property was his, that
he owned it. Why, she was completely
dumbfounded, and, of course, wanted an
explanation. How, when did he come in
possession of so much property? He tried
to avoid the question, but she was firm.
He finally told her that he drew $50, 900 in
some lottery scheme, and with it's funds built
and furnished this home for her. She turned
upon him as though he was the veriest
gambler, vowing then and there that she
would never be his wife until he gave back
the property which he had gained by unlaw-
full means. She scorned all efforts of his to
occupy the house. They separated; part
ed at the door, which has not been opened
since. The furniture remains the same to-
day as when they left it 10 years ago, ex-
cept what age has done. Both are wander
ers upon the face of the earth, both lives
blasted"
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-20

1t is still b debatable matter who
was the first that suggested the use
of steam as motive power. All
that is known as to this point may
be comprised in a few sentences.
Hero, a man Of considerable attain
ments, who fourished iE Alexandris,
in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphus,
stands pre-eminent as the first who
reduced the power to a mechanical
continuance, of which be has given q
description in one OF his works. Still
there is no account Of Hero's sppli-
cation of steam to arts and manufac-
lures, nor, indeed, any account Of its
power being applied to useful pur-
poses, until the fifteenth century,
when Mathesius, an ingenious writer,
proposed to employ Hero's eontriv-
ance TO turn spit
In the sixteenth century, Solomon
de Caus, French engineer, proposed
to apply the elastic power of steam
to raise waiter, and suggested a
simple apparatus for the purpose,
consisting of boiler fixed over fire,
having a stsnd-pipe fixed in the bot
tom of the boiler, its lower extremity
terminating near the bottom of the
water, and its upper extremity car
-ied some height above the top OF the
boiler. The elastic force Of steam
being raised by the FIRE, passed upon
the surface of the water, and caused q
jet to descend from the upper ex-
tremity of the pipe The same princi-
pie is described in a work published
by the Marquis of Worcester. in
1888, entitled A Century of the
Names and Scantlings of Inven-
tions," in which be describes meth
cd of employing the power of steam
to raise water.
Scotland seems to be entitled, how
ever, to the honor of having first re-
duced steam power to navigation in
a practical manner, although France
and England each claim the merit Of
having made the suggestion that
would naturally lead to the result
mentioned.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-20
Shoemakfng.

The shoemaker is relic OF anti
guilty, and lived and had his being as
early as the twelfth century. He
was accustomed to hawk his goods,
and it is eonjectured that there was
separate trade for annexing the
soles. The Romans, in classical
times, wore cork soles in their shoes,
to secure their feet from water, espe-
cially in winter, and, as high heels
were not then introduced, the RO-
man ladies, who wished to appear
taller, put plenty of cork under them.
The streets of Rome, in the time Of
Domitian, were blocked up b5 cob
blers' stalls, which be therefore,
caused to be removed. Ia the mid
die ages shoes were cleaned by wash
ing with sponge and oil; soap and
grease were the substitutes for black
ing. Buckles were worn on the
shoes in the fourteenth century. la
Ireland human skeleton was found
with marks of buckles on the shoes.
In England they became fashionable
many years before the reign Of Queen
Mary. The laboring classes wore
them of copper. Other persons had
them Of silver or coppergilt. Not
long after, shoes rosettes came in.
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-20
The Two Angels.

Two angels passed through the
streets of a sleeping city side by side,
their arms lovingly entwined. One
lit up his radiant countenance the
other seemed to have a veil over bis
face, so thin that it was like mist,
yet thick enough to make his face q
mystery.
Brother" said the angel with the
yelled countenance, brother, it is
long since we met, how fares it with
you?"
"All is well with me, but your
voice has sigh in it, what grieves
you, brother ?'
"Only this, that wherever l go
there is sound of weeping. Moth
ers vail when | fold their little ones
in my arms-children weep when
their mother rests her weary head on
my bcsom-sisters mourn when | re-
lease their brother from pain If /
might unveil my face, do you think
they would fear me so much ?"
As be spoke he raised the veil re-
vealing a face wonderfully like his
fellow angel, but pensive express
sion instead Of joyous one
A tender smile besmed from his
companions face.
"Azrael, no twin brothers were
ever more alike than we are. Here
after we shall not be known one
from the other, but the Master wills
that you shall be a mystery So long
as we walk the earth"
"Shall we be alike when our task
is done?"
There shall be no more death.
Yet angels cannot die. A little pa
tience, dear Azrael.n
And / shall be ike you ?" said
Azrael, musingly then / am con-
tent to be unknown while on earth
if | shall be like you in heaven, for,
| love you my brother"
"And l you; be of good cheer,
brother, We are never far apart on
earth, and shall be forever together
in heaven"
And the angels of life and death
kissed each other as they passed on
their way
The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-03-20
AMONG THE RUINS.

A voice amid gray ruins clearly singing.
While lengthening shadows Ger the sand fat.
fall.
And a wan moon like white pail is fiinging
A sad and somber laster over all
What burthen hath that song which might enthrsi
The desert gheuls to listening mrtely glad:
What meaning bears It's message musieal:-
.'whie life hath lore, shall song be wholly sad.'
Hist Are there roses midst those ruins springing'
Is that the nightingale's voluptuous call.
Can it be dew On those scant grasstnfts stringing
In the chill moonlight, gems imperial.
All, uayl But while snake-slow the shadows
crawl
From mound to mound with perished serdurs
clad,
Stn sounds that voice with joyous swell and fall
while life hath love- shall song be wholly sad:'
What voice. None knows. That rsptarous carol
ringing
Form forth the ruins hath no name at all:
But not the lark through the sheer blue upwinginS
Hath song so clear or so classical.
shapes of delight, odors ambrosial,
Rise in the desert, aud its spec'res sad
Shrink to their lairs, and may nc more appall,
"whiie life haihlove shall song be wholly sad ~
Who hears that voice is never Sorrows thrall,
Midst wastes with shadows thronged, with ruins
clad:
lis an echo OF Hopes clarion CALI
while life hath love, shall song De wholly sads'
III fhs Year Roand