davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A Pralrie.DOg Village.

Four hundred and thirty-five miles
west OF Omaha is situated the great
Praire-dog City, one Of the largest set
Elements on the line of the Union Pacific
Railroad. Several hundred acres. each
side OF the track, have been taken up by
the sagacious little prairie-dogs, and
there they have made their homes, and
that without buying one lot from the
company, or rs much as saving "by
your leave" The dwellings consist Of
little mounds, from foot 90 eighteen
inches in height, raised by the dirt ex-
cavated by their burrows. On the APP
proach of a train, the little inhabitants
can be seen scampering for their homes.
Arrived there, they squat upon their
hams or stand upon their hind feet at
the entrance hole in the top-bark-
ing at the train as it passes. Should
any one venture too near, down they
90. and their city is as silent as the ''city
of the dead" 1t is said that the opening
i'm the top leads TO a subterraneOus
chamber connecting with the next dwell
ling, and so on through the settlement;
but this Ia n mistake. The prairie-dog
is of q sandy-brown color, and about the
size Of large gray squirrel In their
nest, living with them, are found the
owl and the rattlesnake, though whether
welcome or not is uncertain He lives
upon grasses and roots, and is generally
fat, and is By some. Mexicans especially,
considered good eating, and his flesh ia
sweet and tender, though rather greasy.
Wolves prey on the little fellows, and
may be seen sneaking near the town,
hoping by chance, to pick up some
straggler. But the dogs are not easily
caught. Some one is always on the
lookout for danger, and gives the alarm
on the first intimation Of trouble. Then
away they all scamPer 10 their holes.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A Three-Eyed Roy.

The Dayton Journal prints "a letter
from New Bremen, Ohio, which says:
Ouito n wonder has lately made its ap-
penrance, about eight miles north of
New Bremen, in the shape Of n fine boy
with three ewes and but one ear. The
parents are a young married couple, who
came here to reside from the eastern
portion OF Auglaise county about ten
months ago. and have been married a
little more than that period. The child
is about two weeks old. The parents
we're astounded 10 find on the right side of
the face an eve and an ear in their proper
natural positions, and on the left side OF
the face another eye in its natural posi-
tian, and about an inch further round on
the left side of the head third eye, all
perfect in form, but no ear where the
ear ought to be, the place for the left ear
being perfectly smooth and solid as any
other part Of the head. The boy is
healthy, sound and bright as a boy can
be. The eyes IRE perfect in sight and
action. When the eve on the left side
Of the face opens or shuts its twin does
the same, both seeming 10 be controlled
and operated by the one set of nerves,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A Plthy Dialogue.

The Raleigh IN. O. Obssrrer has u
strong belief that the regular tramps
securing the country are regularly
organized, that they have n general un-
derstandiug with one another, and
make themselves known 10 each other
hy means ~ series Of questions and
answers. The Observers local paid IA
visit. in company with the sheriff, To
the Jail where number Of the brother
hood had recently been committed, and
records the following dialogue as having
taken place
From whence came you? ?"
"From town in New York, called
Jerusalem.
Whats Your business here?"
"To learn 10 subdue my appetite and
10 sponge my living from an indulgent
public"
Then you are regular tramp, l
presume?'
Il am SO taken and accepted wherever
l go2'
"How am to recognize you AS II
tramp?"
by the largeuess of my feet and
general carmvorous appearance.
How DO you know yourself to be a
tramp?"
I'm seeking food 10y being often
denied, but ready to try again.
How gained you admittance into
this town ?"
"By a good many long tramps."
How were You received p
"On the end OF night policeman's s
billy, presented 10 my head.
How did the policeman dispose Of
you ?"
HE took me several times around
the town 10 the south. east and west,
where he found the chief Of police,
mayor and the iailer, where a great
many questions were asked.
What advice did the Judge give
you ?"
He advised me TO walk in upright,
regular steps, and 10 renounce tramp
ing.
"Will you be of or from"
with your permission I'll be of
very quick.
(which way are you travelling ?"
East"
"Work-which, by my own endeavors
and the assistance of others, l hope l
shall never be able 10 find"
my friend, You are now at an insti-
tuition where the wicked are always
troublesome and the weary are IS bad as
the rest You viii now be conducted 10
the middle chamber by IA flight of
winding stairs, consisting OF five or
more steps. Instead Of corn, wine and
oil-the wages Of the ancients-yours
will be bread and water for five days.
When your company escape from this
place divide yourselves into parties Of
three each, take bee line for Norfolk
or Richmond, where in winter they
usually run free soup houses, and You
may be pardoned on condition nf your
never returning. pointing to the
turnkey follow your conductor and
fear no dangcr-If you behave your
aalf "
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23

The unclaimed relics of the AshtAbula
bridge horror have been sold at auction,
realizing sA2.O3. As the authorities
could only adori TO advertise the sale in
the local papers, very few persons were
present. The first article sold was a
small English dictionary bearing the
nameot as. Leonard on the fiy-leaf. IL
brought ten cents Then followed a
basket al broken chinawane. valuable
oniy as relics TO the buyer price
fifteen cents. A solid silver napkin
ring brought ninety-five cents red en-
broidered tobacco pouch. fifteen cents;
silk handkerchief, thirty -four cents pair
OF shoes worn by girl with \ deformed
foot, 81 pair OF skates, ten cents. No
excitement or agitation was visible until
a Young lady, daughter OF Mr.. A. Il.
Stockwell, formerly q hotel-keeper Of
Ashtabula, who had been missing since
the disaster, detected from link uf a
silver chain attached 10 q watch, black
ened and burned. that the time-piece
and chain had been the property Of her
father. She burst into tears. and while
sympathixing women gathered around
her, aman who had Just bought the watch
for a few cents delivered il to her. The
works Of gold watches, which when in ;
tact we're worth $50 10 SS00sach, were
valued at OIL apiece and sold for consid
erably less. In fact they were worth
less except for curiosities of the great
railroad calamity. There we're garments
or shreds that had once been worn by
rich and poor, now practically valueless
on account OF the action Of FIRE, water,
ice or snow, OF all combined. and the
necessarily rough usage they had re-
ceived in being pulled from the river
and the wreck. There were persons
present who felt inclined 40 drop tear
as they tenderly handled an infants
tiny shoe which, like the rest, had suf-
fered from the flames. One stocking
middle-aged woman, attired in deep
mouruine-Mrs. J. B. Hopkins, Of
ainesville--identified as having been
knit hy herself for her brother, MIR.
John Potter, not long before the acci-
dent. He left Boston so as 10 take the
fatal Pacific express. il IL supposed, as
nothing has ever been heard Of him
since day before that unlucky Friday
night.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Rec stlugs,

Mr.. j. ID. Hyatt President OF the
New York Microscopical Society, gave
AN account Of his investigations on the
subject Of stings. These studies have
extended over a period Of eight years,
but only recently have some obscure
points been made ont. The general
form Of the stiaging organs Of the honey
bee is we'll known by micrOscopists. IL
consists Of a horny sheath, within which
there are two stings, and these, when III
use. are thrust out. There is poison bag
which discharges it's contents into the
sheath. This Is point well known, but
IL appears that the precise method oy
which the fluid makes is way from the
sheath into the wound has not heretofore
been properly explained. According 10
tho generally accepted explanation the
poison is supposed 10 flow in IA channel
formed between the two piercers or
stings. aud in this way makes its way
into the wound. Mr.. Hyatt advances
another hypothesis, and believes he has
positive proof that he Is right. having
dissected aud examined upwards Oi a
thousand stlngs.
On examining a properly prepared
sting from a honey bee We notice fret
that the piercers are very sharp, and
barbed for some distance from the end,
there being nine barbs pointing upward
on each one. These barbs are gracefully
curved, ana il can easily be seen that
when once they find their way into the
flesh II would be difficult 10 withdraw
them. This explains why the honey bee
sting still remains IN the flesh. while the
stings 81 other insects, with finer barbS
are withdrawn.
A more careful observation indicates
that the stings are tubes. There appears
10 hc a channel running through the
length OF each une. having branches
which terminate IN the uotches just
above the barbs. After careful study Of
these channels, many Of which we're
found 10 contain air or water after mount
ing, and were Thus proved 70 be veriiable
channels. the question arose 20 their
use. The natural inference would be
that they were ducts for the poison, bat
there could be found no possible connec-
ton between the poison gland and these
channels. for, as already stated, the
poison flows into the sheath.
After long aud patient investigation
the explanation offered is as follows: At
the back part Of the sting these channels
open into the sheath. and just in front
uf that opening, attached to the siings,
j. q sort Of valve which projects into the
sheath When, in the operation Of sting
ing, the picrctrs are thrust out, they
carry faru ard this valve so as 20 close
the front Of the sheath, for which pur-
pose they are admirably adapted, and
the poison thus confined within the
sheath makes its way ont through these
openings in the s.iugs Whence once
understood the operation seems very
simple. There are also some objections
20 the common explanation. Cross sec
tions of the stings show that the walls
are quite thin, but strengthened IN some
places 10y internal deposits. The form
Of the stings is such that no channel can
be formed between them 10 conduct the
poison.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A Cheap Commodity.

Advice is cheap, consequently, many
people are fond of giving it away. II
he had only taken my advice, says Mr..
Wiseacre, things might have been
different. True, they might have been
much worse. For do we not all know,
or believe we know, our own affairs, our
own necessities, our own desires, better
than auy other mortal can ever know
them, ven though that other may be
our most intimate friend? And no mat
tar how unreserved our confidence, how
frank our admissions regarding the cir
cumstances in which we are placed, will
there not always be some point or points
ON which we cannot be fully explicit 10
any human ear? So, even while we i'm
agine that we have perfectly explained
our own position, or have as perfectly
comprehended the situation Of another,
some detail will always be wanting,
whose omission changes the whole case;
perhaps makes the counsel which seemed
so judicious entirely impracticable.
Don't worry yourselves, then, over the
good advice so often wasted on your
friends, but try TO remember that as
you never can occupy their exact stand
point, so you never can be an infalllble
Judge of their proper c3aduct 10 be
sure, in some cases, your advice may be
necessary; give it then humbly, not ar
'rogantly, and be content that it IS ac-
cepted even with reluctance; for advice,
at best, is nauseous pill to swallow.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Fashion Notes.

Handsome velvet picture frames have
vine Of flowers embroidered upon
them.
Carrick capes are seen on batiste and
orVandy dresses. and even on morning
wrappers.
A lady's toilet is no longer complete
without bunch OF natural or artificial
flowers.
Black. satin ribbon, faced with differ
ent colors will he used in trimming gren-
adines.
Dinner cards made in the snaps of
plates, beautifully painted, are among
the novelties.
Polonaises are sill worn 10 a great
extent. notwithstanding the predictions
30 the contrary.
Cream n-tinted muslin pleatings. around
the neck AMI wrists, replace those OF
pure white.
In ladies' lingerie, combination suits
are the newest. and promise TO be the
favorite style.
English twills in gray and fawn cOlors
will be the favorite materials for water
proofs this summer.
New styles in furniture have painted
panels, which work is done in large
measure by young ladies.
Spiral bracelets are among the latest
novelties, some SO large that they extend
from wrist to elbow.
Loops Of narrow ribbon trim nearly
everything, and are put on every con-
ceivable place in toilet.
Trained skirts have the back breadths
laid in kilt plaits, or in wide double box
plat, 10 the end of the train.
Mask walls are much worn; but dotted
net has taken the place OF the plain
Brussels net, in a great degree.
Walking dresses will be made with
short round skirts. as we'll as with the
kilt skirts: and will be much lighter.
India Pongee cloaks. with carrick
capes, are the elegant novelties designed
10 replace the linen ulsters of Centen-
NAL fame.
Nantes made Of stripes OF lace inser-
ton and velvet, aud bordered with lace,
will be worn again this summer, They
are very stylish.
Fichus will be much worn this sum
mer: those Of muslin will be embroider-
ed in'colors, and collars, cuffs and hand
kerchief must match.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23

taken into the feather room and sorted
into lots Of various qualities. The
white primary rim from under the birds
wing produces the best plumes. These
are frequently sold for as high price as
Sl25 per pound.
In spite Of the 'Mrulties 20 be con
tended with, Mr.. Douglass has been en-
abled to make ostrich farming IN his
own particular case n complete success.
As said elsewhere, there are now at his
establishment about 800 birds, which,
counting both young and old, are worth
about $3.50 apiece. These produce on
an average feathers tn value of $40
per aunum. The labor about the place
is performed 10y coolies, except that
which falls 10 the lot OF the owner and
two or three young men VINO are with
him and are learning the work under
his instruction, The coolies live each IN
his own hut with his wife and family.
They receive sum amounting 10 about
81 per month aud rations; these consist
Of two pounds Of meat aud two Of mealies
day. He is also given permission 10
build his hut upon the place and to
burn his masters fuel. Coffee he may
buy from his masters store, provided he
desires the lu1ury.-Hdrp1's Weekly.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Tea Raising.

The experiment of tea growing IN this
country Is one Of the most interesting
ever tried. Being successful IN every
wav, the time has come 10 60 beyond
the experiment and cultivate Il ON a
large scale. In the Southern States,
many people have raised tea success
fully. II is hardy shrub, like a thrifty
evergreen. The ordinary height OF the
cultivated plant is from three 20 six feet,
and we are told the wild growth reaches
fifteen or twenty feet--in fact, tree ten
inches in diameter. Tea is raised from
small nuts or seeds. Three or four OF
these are dropped into hole and cover =
cd with earth two IT three inches deep.
The weeds must be removed, OF course,
and at first little shading is necessary
until they are large enough to supply
their own shade. They also require
some pruning, and the leaves are not
collected for use until the plant is three
years old; when nine or ten years, they
are cut down 20 make room for the young
shoots. Tea gathering, which takes
place when the leaves are small, young
and Juicy, is a process of great mceness
and delJcacy: IL requires delicate, clean,
skilful hands; those of women and chill
d-en are best fitted for the work, and
each leaf must be plucked separately
from the twig with great care, so as not
to iniure the yorng leaves Just coming
ont. After gath ing, the process OF
preparation for use IA quite elaborate in
rolling, drying, clipping and packing
ready for transportation. They pack the
tea while warm. in box perfectly dry;
the evaporation of water and the drying
changes the color TO dark brown or black.
Teas are named from the size and age of
the leaf and the locality in which they
are raised. But we seldom taste this
favorite herb at it's best. for the Chinese
send us an inferior article. What an ad-
vantage we gain by growing our own teal
In latitudes adapted to it's growth every
farmer can have his tea garden. Four
pounds of green leaves make one pound
Of prepared tea, and one acre will pro
duce four hundred and hfty pounds OF
-,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
A MrsinrinnA Mnrilpr.

Willis James was believed 10 be the
murderer Of five persons in Clark coun-
ty, Mo-, but he has been acquitted,
there being very slight evidence against
him. II he is innocent, the crime is in
deed a mystery. The murdered persons
were the Spencer family, consisting Of
a farmer and his two sons and two
daughters. The father and one son
were killed in a barn, the other son and
daughter in the house, and the re-
naming daughter in n field close by. No
motive for this horrible butchery has
been discovered. James is r relative,
and il is not known that there was any
quarrel between him and the Spencers.
No robbery was committed. James
gave the first information of the crime,
having, as he said, found the bodies on
going to the house on an errand. There
was little blood on his handkerchief.
but he said that it had come from his
nose; and several splashes on his hat,
that looked as though they might be
blood, but n chemist was not willing 10
swear what they we're. Conviction was
impossible ON such slight evidence. and
no more could be obtained,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Spring.

Look all around How the spring advances
New life is playing through the CAV, green
trees
See how, in yonder bower, the light leaf dances
To the birds tread, and 20 the quivering
breeze
How every blossom IN the sunlight chances
The winter frost 20 his dark cavern fees
And earth warm -wSkened. feels through every
vein
The kidding influence Of the vernal rain.
Now Alvery streamlets, from the mountain
stealing,
Dance ioyouSly the veriant Wales along.
Gold, fear no more, the songtter's tongue is
sealine
Down IN the thick, dark grove, is beard his
song
And, All their bright and lovely hues revealing,
A thousand plants the iold and forest throne,
Light comes upon the earth in radiant showers,
And minFlng rAinbows play among the
flowers. -From As GeIUdR
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
Hints TO Writers.

William Cullen Bryant once gave the
following sensible advice 10 young
man who had offered him an article:
Ny young friend, | observe that You
have used several French expressions in
your letter. think, il YOU will study
the English language. that yuu will lind
il capable of expressing all the ideas that
you may have. / have always found it
so. and in all that / have written do
not recall an instance where / Was
tempted to use foreign word. but that,
on searching, | have found a better one
in my own language.
BE simple, unaffected; be honest in
your speaking and writing. Never use
a long word when a short one will do as
well.
Call spade by its name, not well
known oblong instrument of manual
labor; let a home be a home and not
a residence; a place not locality, and
so on of the rest. When a short word
will do, you always lose by long one.
You lose in elearness; You lose in honest
expression OF meaning; and, in the es-
timatien OF all men who are capable Of
Judging, you lose in reputation for
ability.
The only true way TO shine, even in
this false world, is to be modest and un-
assuming. Falsehood may be a thick
crust, bnt in the course OF time truth
will find a place 10 break through.
Elegance of language may not be in the
power Of us all, but simplicity and
straightforwardnes are.
Write much as you would speak, and
as you think. II with your inferior,
speak no coarser than usual; if with
your superior, speak no finer. Be what
you say, and within the rules Of pru-
dence. No one ever was a gamer by
sngularity of words or in pronunciation.
The truly wise man will so speak that
no one will observe how he speaks. A man
may show great knowledge of chemistry
by carrying bladders OF strange gases to
breathe; but one will enjoy better
health and find more time for business,
who lives on common air.
Sidney Smith once remarked: "After
you have written an article, take your
pen and strike out half the words, and
you will be surprised to see how much
stronger it is"
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23
The RegulRr SeaSOn.

whsok Crack WhAck
'Tis an old familiar sound;
The pSrlor carpet as,ridc the fence
IA being beaten around.
Crash Dash smash
From parlor and kitchen and hall;
A yclp from Tommy, yell nom Joe
Twas only m.rror-thats AL,
Mop, scrub Wash,
4 pSinter On evOry hand;
Hangers of papor IN every nom,
And plumbers increasing the band.
Bread Cake Tea
Anything. most, will do;
Plates are sticky, and knives are goBe-
In color the butter is blue,
Growl Scowl GroAn,
The dishes mixed up with the chairs.
The sofa upset and P,ctgres smashed,
Aud wife down sicA With her cares
Zip Bang slam.
On when viii il ever be o'er2
When can We so % he'd
4 bed not made on ,he hoor?
ouch, Rub nxpb,
Paint from oeling 10 base,
The white-wAShers coming st early dawn,
To m&ke IA hotel q the place
no1e Dream Wake
And tnen fall as'eep again
To dream that cholera came az last,
With solemn funeral train.
Once every year
Rip things up and tear
Smash crash hang
Grovl snATl glare
N QssGd, In Rtrui: Frye lryss.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-23

Dot hid her face for moment on her
guardians shoulder, then, looking up
with charming color, she said, de
murely;
As there is 10 be no appeal from
your decision, | suppose must submit