davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
NUMBER 3.
The story Of a "Hlred Girl"

A Wheeling (W. Va correspondent OF
the Detroit Free Press tells the follow
ing story One day last summer friend
Of mine called upon me. informing me
that her girl wished 10 see me IN regard
10 taking mnsic lessons. OF course, ]
was somewhat surprised at the idea OF a
hired girl wanting 10 take music lessons.
Mira D., her employees, seemed 10
look upon her with the greatest respect.
The children, from baby Lucy up 30 big
Tom placed all confidence in her, and
would run 30 Tillie with their little
troubles Ina preference 10 mama, some
times. After seeing Tlllie, and making
the necessary arrangements, II was her
desire 30 come for her lessons IN the eve
ming, when she was tree from her day =
work. Mrs D. had given her the
use Of the piano for an hour or 40 IN the
afternoon. / was struck with her prompt
ness and lady-like manners, and could
but think her ambition was quite natural
All the autumn and winter she came out
untringly. perhaps her evening would
pass and she would not come, but rs sure
as the next day came, with il came a neat
note eIcusing herself on the ground that
"the ironing was 30 large, or " MIR.
D. came In 30 late for supper. but i
always missed the bright. sunny face
when she failed 10 come. How used 30
watch those poor red, stlif hands tciling
over the keys. Music and kitchen
work do not agree very wei, but love
my music NO, il makes my takk lighter In
the kitchen, 4" she would say cbeerfnlly.
Gan il be, I would think, that she in to
be looked down ON simply beeause she
WAS compelled 30 slave for somebody
All, no, she was doing her duty. Ii was
T the mission God had set out for heF-and
I her reward world come by and by. One
evening Tillie handed me letter saying
"I want you 10 read the offer Of another
situation / have had" I little guessed
the contents as ] took il from her. To
my astonishment and pleasure it Was q
manly, noble heart pleading for her life
10 be placed IN his keeping. Every word
spoke the true man, nothing sickly OF
sentimental Just such letter ~ would
want 20 receive under similar circum.
stances, and the writer, knew the name
well, and knew him 10 be perfect man.
/ could but say as / handed back tbs
letter, II hope you accepted. " Yes,
and there was wealth Of happiness IN
the clear blue ewes, and some tearH, too
/ / imagined "I never knew what it wA'
10 live before. Just the thought tina
there ia one person in the world 10 care
for me in such happiness. Then she
told me how, after receiving his letter
she wrote 10 him telling him she was bu
a poor girl, il would be better for then
not 10 meet" he came 10 me in few
evenings telling me he knew exactly hos
poor / was, he asked me for nothing bui
my heart and hand-could l refuse 2
Blessings on such girls In place o
foolishly running the streets, she devotet
her spare moments 10 music and goo
reading. NY Tillie presidesover pleas
ant lutte home all her own, and looks al
10 her handsome lord wondering like th'
old woman, "Can i be ~
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

There were FIVE Of them from the
Monumental District, and having feasted
10 their hearts content on the great
variety Of holiday goods on sale, they
came tripping ont of the spacious en-
trance OF one Of our dry goods stores,
when they espied a nicely done mp
package, apparently dropped by one OF
the many seekers after holiday goods.
A minute more and one of them had
seized il and they were hurrying down
the street speculating as 10 its contents.
"I hope il is good-sized dress pat
term" says the happy owner, as she
hrgced Il close for fear Of its being
spirited away. eff il was mine | would
rather il would be velvet cloak, cried
one of the others, as she enviously eyed
the packet "Oh, / wouldn't; Id
rather il would be new hat" was the
comment Of another; and so they specu-
lated until they reached home, when the
string was loosed, and their astonished
and disappointed eyes rested on very
soiled and dilapidated pair of pants,
probably Just exchanged for new pair,
which the owner had worn of, leaving
the old ones for a more unfortunate
brother or sister. Boston Journal
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
ShoemakIng.

The shoemaker is a relic Of antiquity,
and lived and had his being as early A.
the twelfth century. He was accustomed
10 hawk his goods, and il is conjectured
that there was a separate trade for an
nexing the soles. The Romans, in class
ical times, wore cork soles in their shoes,
to secure their feet from water. especially
in winter, and, as high heels were not
then introduced, the Roman ladies'. who
wished to appear taller, put plenty OF
cork under them. The streets OF Rome
in the time of DomitiaA were blocked up
by cobblers' stalls, which he, therefore,
caused 10 be removed In the middle
ages shoes were cleaned by washing with
a sponge and oil; soap and grease were
the substitutes for backing. Buckles
we're worn on the shoes in the fourteenth
century. In Ireland human skeleton
was found with marks of buckles on the
shoes. In England they became fash
ionable many years before the reign OF
Queen Mary. Thelaboring classes wore
them of copper Other persons had
them of silver or copper gilt. Not long
after shoes roses came in. Buckles re-
vived before the revolution in 1889, and
finally became extinct before the close oi
the eighteenth century.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
CapcelIur n Church's Debt.

The New York Tribune OF A recent
issue says The Church of the Holy
Trinity tthe Rev. DIR. Steven III. Tyng,
Jr., rector yesterday pledged $50, 00o
toward canceling its heavy debt OF $@36,
600. This remarkable result was due
largely 10 the earnest and Inspiring aP-
peals Of Edward Kimhall, the "church
debt raiser, as he In sometimes called,
from his remarkable success in relieving
churches OF crushing burdens OF debt
and Of DIR. Tyng, DIR. Charles ).
Robinson, and Roswell @. Smith. II
was announced from the pulpit yester.
day morning that the debt would be
raised then and there. Checks were
passed around, and while addresses
were being delivered. papers ali over
the house were being rapidly covered
with significant figures. The munih-
cent gifts Of one person after another
were received with a quiet satisfaction
that spoke volumes for the success oi
the plan: and the rapidity with which
checks were handed IN, and their
amounts, showed an enthusiastic devo-
ton which took no thought OF hard
times. II was pleasant 10 note the IN
terest taken in the subscription by the
women and girls. and the many little
clubs they formed, pledging themselves
10 sums large and small, were practical
proofs OF their zeal.
Before the morning wore away $llO,
600 had been subscribed and enthusiasm
was at fever heat. The church was
crowded and the remarkable success OF
so short season aroused hopes OF rais-
ING the whole amount that day. II was
not thought wise to dismiss the congre-
cation while in so satisfactory mood,
so A nice little lunch was provided for
all. and all were invited 10 remain.
Messengers carried explanatory notes 20
many homes. Those who sent no word
received many calls of inquiry during
the afternoon. In fact the courteous
ushers were kept very busy, reassuring
anxious friends, who came 10 discover
why the most regular persons In the
world, who had never been away from
home before without sending word, had
not returned. When the character OF
the extra meeting was learned, numbers
came in more rapidly than ever. Occa-
sionallv some overwearied lady would
leave the church, but her place would
soon be filed by a fresh arrival. The
gentlemen sat quietly through with tire
less patience.
The morning session did mot really
end until half-past Eve. Then short
recess was taken until half-past six, the
evening session continuing until nearly
eleven o'clock. Among the subscrlp-
tions made during the day aud evening
we're seven pledges OF $4,000 each ;
nine of q, 600 each one Of 90, 900 two
Of g., 900 eight of 81, 900, and the re-
mainder in smaller sums The subscrip-
tons are TO be paid within six months
on condition that the whole amount of
the debt in subscribed.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
Valuable Literary Treasures.

The manuscript Of Washington's fare
well address is in possession Of the new
Lanox Library in New York. Mr.. Lenox
purchased il for $2,00S, very small
price compared with what il would now
sell for. This library contains many
other very rare treasures among which
il superb copy Of the MaEarin Bible,
printed at Mentz by Gutenberg, and
completed in 1455. the first book printed
with movable type, and still, singular to
say. one of the noblest typographical
monuments IN existence. There are
only two. copies on this continent, the
other soon TO be sold by the executors Of
the late George Brinley, of Hartford.
The last copies sold at the Perkins sale
in London, June 6, 1873, brought foT
the one on vellum, s17, 600; that on
paper. 1850.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

Saws GATH" in a recent Weshing-
ton letter TO the Cincinnati Enquirer:
Diet, exercise, little company. no public
dinners, home habits, secretiyeness ;
these are the life-buoys of o Congress
man. / see some men here, guiltless on
every other score, who are wrecks from
dining ont merely, The high climate
of this country would soon kill the most
seasoned English statesmen If fed as well
as at home. There is the bitters OF
concentrated Angostura or the brandy
cocktail before dinner. The larded
meats are pressed upon the palate by
wines which inevitably drift into long
potations of champagnes, ranging from
the hghtest Verzenay TO the brandy
strong green seal. After all this, and
animated conversation, in whose wisdom
the intellect has appeared to touch the
gods, the man is put 10 bed, and sleeps
under natures deadest convulsion until
morning, when he relies upon the bath TO
revive the hot skin, and release the brain
10 public work. Frightful is the waste
of tissue ever going on. The animated
mind la the speediest lost In the time
OF potation come the familiarity and
temptation, the leose tongue and easy
commitment, the snare OF women and
the social injury. The,eGare public men
in Washington who pour out the VINE
they never taste, and still il seems that
they also ara caught up with by the
consequences. / see sick men here who
offered the cup and never drank. Heoe
had no brother he died before sne
carried the enps
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
A Rnried Town Brought TO Light.

An interesting archaeological discovery
has Just been made in Italy-that OF a
buried town, new Pompeii, unexpect-
edly found near Manfredonia, at the foot
of Mount Gargano. A temple of Diana
was frst brought TO light, and then q
portico about twenty metres in length,
with columns without capitals, and,
finally, a metropolis covering l5,OOO
squire metres (about three and three
quarter acres). A large number OF in
scriptions have been collected, and some
OF them have been sent TO the museum
Mt Naples. The town discovered is the
ancient Sipontum Of which Strabo,
Potybeus and Livy speak, and which was
buried by an earthquake. The houses
are twenty feet below the surface Of the
soil. The italian government has taken
measures 10 continue the excavations on
large scale. Every day some fresh
object Of interest turns up. The latest
is a monument erected in honor OF
Pompey after his victory over the
pirates, and large quantity Of eesnS
In gold and copper,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
Steam Power.

According TO statement in the
POiVtechnic RsuieD. the aggregate
steam motive power at present in use in
the world il $500, 600 horsepower en-
ployed in stationary engines, and TO-
900, 900 horsepower in locomotive en-
gines, making a total OF 13, 800, 600 horse
power. This force is maintained without
the use of animal food, except by the
miners who dig the coal and provide the
fuel. and the force maintained in the
muscles is TO that generated by the pro
duct labor as about one TO 1000. This
steam-powe is equal 10 the working
force Of %, 900, 900 horses, and one horse
consumes three times as much food as
one tnan the steam-power, therefore, IL
equivalent 10 the saving Of food for
rs, 600, 900 human beings. Again, three
power. looms, attended by one man, pro-
duce daily seventy-eight pieces of cotton
fabric against four pieces produced by
one loom worked by one man in 1900,
and 30 the list might be indefinitely ex'
tended of what is accomplished by the
use of stesm-power and labor-savine
machinery, ....
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
company. and Mr.. Emerson pointed
me and saws


me aAd saws
"'Is yondor squAlid peasant al
That this prsud nursery eoald breed.
He was n whetting his bowie on his
bOot--so / let il pass. Well, sir, next
they took il into their heads that they
would like some music T; 80 they made
me stand mp aud sing, When Johnny
Comes Marching Home till / dropped
at thirteen minutes past four this
morning. That's what We been through,
my friend. When woke ut seven, they
were leaving. thank goodness, and Mr..
Longfellow had my only boots on. and
his own under his arm. Says j, Hold
ON there, Evangeline, what are you
going 10 DO with them 2 He says Go
ing 20 make tracks with 'em because
Lives Of great men AL remind US
We can make our hvoa sublime
And departing. leave behind us
Footprints on the sands Of Time.
AS i said, Mr.. Twain, you are the
fourth in twenty-four hours-and I'm a
going 10 novel amt suited to liter
airy atmosphere.
/ said 10 the miner "Why, my dear
sir, these were not the gracious singers
TO whom we and the world pay homage +;
these were imposters.
The miner investigated me with II
calm eye for a while, then said he:
Z" Alb, imposters were they ARE you 2
/ didn't pursue the subject, and since
then / haven't travelled on my nom de
plume enough 10 hurt. Such was the
"Reminiscences / was moved 10 contribute,
Mr.. Chairman. In my enthusiasm may
have exaggerated the details little, but
You will easily forgive me that fault,
since il is the first time ! have ever de-
hected from perpendicular fact on an
occasion like this.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

Samuel Hulett, whose death at nm ad-
vanced age was reported few days ago,
was one OF the passengers in the mail
coach between Philadelphia and Read
ing in 1880, when the horses we're stop.
Ded and the passengers plundered by
Wilson, Porter and Potete, whose arrest
aud trial, and execution Of Porter were
causes Of much public feeling at the
time. The mail coach was on its way To
Reading, and had reached Turner's lane.
mile or two above the built up portion
Of the city, when the lead horses were
suddenly brought 10 a stand and pistol
put at the head of the driver and one or
more of the passengers, to intimidate
them and prevent resistance. The money
and Jewels were surrendered upon de.
mand, and no violence was used. IL
was supposed that the bank messenger,
William Miller, who held for many years
the situation OF bailiff in the United
States district court, would be in the
coach, but he had been unable 30 reach
the White Swan Hotel in time 10 take
passage that morning. Porter and VIII
son were captured in Philadelphia, but
Potete was arrested in Baltimore, and,
upon being brought on here, consented
to take the witness stand against his
confederates. Samuel Hulett was a ma
terial witness, and Porter and Wilson
we're convicted and sentenced 10 be
hanged. The robbery of the mail was
then a capital offense, when the lives Of
passengers or any one was put in
jeopardy, as was done. Wilson was
saved through the intercession of inhu-
entail friends, but Porter expiated his
crime upon the gallows, having on the
day Of the execution ridden upon his
coffin from the Arch street prison to the
hanging ground, not for from the East
ern p4nitentiary. Potete, who had com
mitted crime in Baltimore, was taken
back there and served out term Of
imprisonment. Wilson became an ex-
emplary citizen, and was living when
last heard of a few years ago-Fhilndet-
phid Ledger. ....,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

A singular circumstance occurred in
the office of a steel company, in Bridge
port. Connecticut, few days ago. The
authorized agents Of the Russian and
Turkish governments respectively met
there, each for the purpose OF contract
ing for bayonets TO be used by the two
belligerent parties among the mountains
of Turkey. With look of mutual sur
prise the two gentlemen met each other
very affably, and discussed to some eX-
tent their common business. A single
test satisfied both that they could get
the goods they wanted, and ordered, the
one 800, 900. and tho other GOO. 900 bayo-
nets, with which to impale their fellow
subjects. The steel company, on the
occasion. displayed the quinteSsence OF
neutrality.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

A house was recently moved from one
end Of Eapa, Cal, 10 the other, por-
ton Of the frame being sawn of and left
behind for the family 90 occupy tempo
rarily. Across the exposed front OF this
shell were stretched several sheets, and
behind the curtain the family lived,
moved and had their domestic being.
When the lamp WAS lighted, and the
family sat down to supper, crowd
gathered on the sidewalk and remained
there until there was darkness within.
II was a most interesting series Of shadow
pictures. The potatoes as they passed
into the mouths looked on the screen
like pumpkins pitchforked into hay
mows, aud the spoons and forks we're
enlarged 50 as to represent baseball
clubs and shillelehs. The sons and
daughters of toll finished their supper
and went 10 bed, utterly unconscious
that they had been illustrating Brob-
dingnag for the benefit of their neigh
hpwm
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
Military Surgery In Turkey,

The following details will seem in
credible TO those who are not acquainted
with the peculiar ways of the Turkish
administration. An artillerist had his
knee shattered at Sistova by the explo-
sion OF q shell. and after his wound had
been temporarily dressed he was trans
ported from the field OF battle 10 Con-
stantinople. In spite Of his intense
sufferings, he listened with the greatest
interest 10 all the news from the seat of
war. On his arrival in Constantinople,
amputation was found 10 be necessary,
but before the operation could be per-
formed permission had 10 be obtained
from the ministry Of war. This permis-
sion must always he obtained before an
amputation can be performed in a
Turkish hospital, and il not infrequently
happens that The, e,patient dies before the
civil funotiOnnries have ceased deliberat-
ing on the demand OF the surgeons.
Fortunately for our artillerist his case
was pushed through with exceptional
rapidity, and the desired permit was
given after a delay Of only eight or ten
days. The brave soldier, who had
awaited the pleasure of the administra-
ton with the most exemplary patience
bore the operation with heroic courage
there is still hope that his life will bt
saved,
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
An Impudent Puppy.

Pretty, ssucy kitty went swinging up
and down, up and down, her light
muslin dress waving and huttering In
the breeze.
Glorious, Rupert, isn't it she
cried, calling ID her pet and companion,
huge, shaggy dog. But where are
youS Why don't you answer, sir?" And
swinging more slowly, she looked every
where around her.
Kitty was down at the bottom OF the
old fashioned garden at the back of her
fathers farmhouse, where a swing had
been put up for her in little grove OF
trees.
Suddenly a merry voice cried out,
"Here - and handsome young man
Ieaped the low fence, and advanced
towards her, laughing merrily, and
dofing his hat.
Kitty was out OF the swing and on her
feet in an instant, her eyes flashing, her
figure drawn up to its full height. She
looked prettier than ever in her indlg-
nation.
az beg your pardon, said the in
truder, bowing half-mockingly; but l
was taking a short cut across the field
when heard you call me.
"CaIl you !"
Kitty looked as il she would annihi-
late him.
Certainly" with the utmost cool
ness. "You called Rupert didn't
you? p
81 was calling my dog, sir," said
Kitty, with infinite hauteur.
Ual1 an4 q
the laughing answer "but I've often
been called an impudent puppy-ai
your service; miss"
He bowed again, profoundly.
"I should think so, !" snapped Kitty,
stamping her little foot. And she
muttered to herself, not expecting to be
heard: "ImpudeRce !"
The stranger heard the word, never
theless. His manner changed. He
became as serious and deferential as the
most chivalous knight of old in the
presence of his mistress.
"I beg pardon I'm afraid I'm tres
passing. But the path through the
field was trodden as if one had the right
Of vay there, and heard you caldwell,
made mistake" Again the mirthful
look danced in his eyes. GOOD morn
ing."
He swept the very ground with his
hat, as he executed another profound
bow, and then turned and, putting his
hand on the top of the fence, vaulted
over, and the next moment was out Of
sight.
Kitty did not swing any more that
day. but went back to the house, mut-
ering: Impudent fellow 7" while the
cal Rupert, who had started off chasing
rabbit. reappeared at this iuncture.
and accompanied her. But this was not
the Rupert she meant, when she said
"the iInpudent fellow"
A week passed. Kitty saw no more
of the stranger, though she often won
dered whom he could be, and if he were
staying in the neighborhood. At the
end of That time she attended an eve
ming arsy at Squire Stacey's. Almost
the fir person she saw on entering the
room was the handsome stranger.
at wish to introduce you to my
nephew" said the squire, leading that
p lrsonage up 10 Kitty. "His name, by
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

Some days since citizen Of Crawford
street. Detroit, named John Wilmer had
n rife stolen from his house on Sunday,
while the family were absent. There
was no clue to the thief, but ON snbse-
ouent Monday night MFR. Wilmer
dreamed that he met the man in Wind
sor who took his gun. He saw the thief
40 plainly in his dream that he crossed
tine river In search of him the following
day. Wonderful to relate, he met the
man Of his dreem on the street, and did
not hesitate to collar him. More woa-
derful to relate the man he met proves
10 be q respectable citizen Of the town
and indignant at being called thief, be
Knocked The dreamer down and stepped
on him pretty badly. Mr.. Wilmer is
not .ihtepl ling 10 publish dream-hoQk'
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17

For stately trees in Tich array,
For sunlight All the happy day.
For blossoms rHdiAn; sAd rare,
For skies when daylight closes,
For joyous, clear, outpourlng song
From birds that AL the green wood throng,
For Gll things young, and bright, and fair,
We praise thee. Month Of RSses
For bine, blue skies OF summer calm,
For fragrant Odors breathing balm,
For quiet. cooling shades where Oft
The weary head reposes,
For hrooklets babbling thro the fields
Where Earth b choicest treasures yields,
For al things tender. sweet and soft,
We love thee. Month OF Roses
-Egdins Gooille ,thhT07H years odd.
The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-17
An Aged Apple Tree.

There in standing in the town OF
Wethersheld, Conn, an English Bear
main apple tree OF mammoth dimensions,
measuring, one foot from the ground,
ten feet and eleven inches in circumfer-
ence. 1t yielded fruit, according 10 tra-
dition, for nearly century before the
revolution, was brought from England
by William Tryan, and set out on his
farm, which has since been divided into
smaller ones. Upon one of these sections,
now belonging TO Mrs. Loveland,
stands this venerable tree. Il is In q
good bearing condition, having borne
excellent fruit last yess,