davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
What the Eyes See In Reading.

NJ. Javcl has lately published obscrvn
tions on the mode in which the eye
takes in - the successive letters
on printed page. We are not to sup
pose. he says, that in reading a line one
passes suCccssivcly from the lower part
of letter to the upper part. then down
the next letter, up the next. and so on,
the vision describing n wavy line. The
fixation takes place with extreme pre-
cisiou along a straight line. traversing
the junction Of the upper third Of the
letter with the lower two-thirds. Why
is this line not in the middle? Because
characteristic parts Of the letters are
more frequently above than below. in
the proportion Of about sevcnty-five per
cent. That this j. So. We can sec by APP
plying on q line OF topographic charac-
ters sheet Of paper covering the line in
it, lower twO-thirds. and leaving the
upper third exposed. We can then read
the letters almost as well n If they had
not been concealed in greater part, But
the case j. very different If We cover the
upper two-thirds of the line: I'll" loves,
third alone does not furnish sufficient for
recognition. The characteristic part oi
the letters. then. Is chiefly in their up
per portion. NJ. Javcl next compare.
the ancient topographic characters with
those Of modern books, and maintain.
that the latter have too much uniform
ity. so that. taken in their upper parts
alone, many OF them may be cnnfoundrd
in reading. The oil letters. on the
other hand. had each particular sign
by which they could h. easily dis
tinguishcd In the books printed by the
celebrated old publishing house of tho
ElZeyiT- the a, for cXamule had no re.
founded with the n, n now, nor the G oI
with the o. the h with h, etc. This toe
great uniformity in the upper part o
topographic characters should be cor.
rected. since 1t is to that part we chiefly
look in reading.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
How n Daring Man Saved His Life.

vi Captain Akey, who killed man IL
Nevada recently, the Eureka (Ney.
Ledder tells the following story: At Tia,
breaking out Of the war Akey was mining
in Iuolumme county. California, and
with number of other residents, vol
untecrcd his services. A company was
raised, all good men, and he was elected
captain. Much 10 their disappointment,
the government decided 10 keep them
in California, and they were ordered &c
Humboldt bay. Akey's lrnd wa.
turned by the authority conferred upon
ilm. and he began series of petty per.
secutions which almost drove his men
mad. They bore it for months. until il
passed beyond the limits of endurance
and then they resolved To end it, This
resolve took the form of determination
never To obey anothc; command ol
Akcy's. This was no,niGg more nor less
than mutiny. and was punishable with
death; but the boys preferred that To the
tyranny under which they had groancd
and suffered so long.
An order had been received 10 proceed
from Humboldt bay Ia Red Bluffs, and
Akcy went by the way OF the ocean to
San Francisco, while the company
crossed the mountains. They were en-
campcd on the bank of the Sacramento
river when lac arrived. and the crisis
came as soon ~ hc put his foot in camp.
lie called the company out on parade
and ordered all those who had resolved
to rcpudiatc him 10 step two PAGES on
the front. Ninety men, the entire
strength. firmly took the steps. The
sheriff ofTchama county was with him.
and, turning Ia that officer. he asked
if he would assist him in arresting the
orderly sergeant. The officer replied
that hc would, and the two started to do
so, when they were both covered with
fifty rovolvcrs, the ominous click OF
which sounded painfully intense. The
sheriff took 20 his heels and never stop
ped until he reached the ferry. quarter
of "A mile distant, but Akcy confronted
the angry men ~ coolly a. If nothing
extraordinary was happening. The
color never left his face, nor I'D trcmor
disturb his cquanimity, although hc
fully realized that the men were thirst
ing for his blood. Nothing but his
bravery saycd him. for they had fully
determined upon killing Linn. but a. he
an his eyes up and down the line and
aid: Boys, the odds are too much. .n
they respected his courage, dropped their
weapons and allowed him slowly t0 re-
tire. The upshot Of the affair was that
he was relieved Of his command. and.
after an investigation Of the circum-
stances, was discharged from the service.
There was at first determination on
the part of the government 10 court
martial the soldiers. but the offence was
finally condoncd and they served out
their enlistment II is the only instance
Of the kind on record of 7 mutiny going
unnunislfch
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04

she could suit madame. If one was too
costly, there was another hanging upon
the next peg, just as beautiful. for eight
teen francs less. Ifmadame did not like
the rouge, madame should see herself in
the ceii-bieu it was just madame's color,
but then madame was SO easily coiffed I;
madame was-ah n belle in anything and
then these two handsome. crafty females
INDUCED In u dissertation in their own
tongue, largely interlardcd with English,
upon my constructive attractions. This
last coup d'etdt clinched the bargain.
The next madame who purchased
more expensive article would he still
more beautiful and would undoubtedly
hear her charms cNtolled in still more
winning tones Still. admire the rude
philosophy of these people; it made us
all happy; they sold their merchandise; I;
| went away in state of beatitude, in
being compared To flowers and angels
and sunbcams, the calmness of moonlight
and the sparkle of champagne" And ms
passed away toward the book shop my
mcditations were upon the cruel ftscina-
tions of these French women. With me
their influence had been potential; what
would such sway he with the opposite
sexP lcould only find little Ccnsuro for
one who yielded TO the spell, whetherex-
erciScd for good or evil" Emiy,' IN
FJtWey'S Progress.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
The Author Of Cheap Postage.

PrObab not enc person in a thousand
in the United States Is aware that the 50
Justly celebrated Sir Row land Hill. who
was the means of the introduction Of the
penny postage system into Great Britain
and ireland. is still living. But such j.
the case. Though born near Birming-
ham in l705, and consequently an octo-
gcnarian and four years better. he Is still
in good health and H. the full possession
Of his faculties.
The Court Of Common Council oi
London, having regard to the vast bene-
fits conferred upon the commercial com
munity by those measures of postal re
form with which his name win ever be
associated. has paid him graceful com
pliment by sending n deputation to his
house at Hampstead to confer upon him
the freedom of the city of London. The
veteran reformcr replied at some length.
saying. among other things. that letter
could now be sent from Egypt to San
Francisco for n smaller sum than in 1899
was charged on y letter coming from tho
city Of London 10 Hampstead distan
Of few miles.
1t was in 1887 that Sir Rowland pub
lished pamphlet first developing his
new postal system; In lsJs IL was re-
commended by parliamentary com
mittee for adoption; and in 1910 penny
postage was carried into effect. In lS4b
he received n testimonial from the public
amounting to SEQ. 500. and was subse-
quently made secretary Of the general
postofficc. .--ChicuQO Netcs
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04

the same stage for Leadville, she being
INSIDE and he on top. Both stopped at
the 6rand Hotel. Mrs. Davis Having
telegrnpbed TO her son to meet her there,
In about an hour AL" strolled In and
went 10 the Office. Porter Leonard
slapped him on the shoulder and told
iiim that bis mother was up stairs.
Mother and son had nm hours confer.
ence. The sights Of Leadville were taken
In By A bert Lindell and Mr.. leonard
When they met the mex morning A lbert
wanted his CUSTOMARY drink. hut bis
friend Leonard told Linn he had better
not take any; that lac had some impor-
tant business 10 transact with him. In
the presence Of third patty Mr.. Leon
ard told Mr.. Lindcll Ofthc purpose Of his
visit. There II demand note for
S2,O55, he said you know the
account IL correct. and YOU must sign IL "
Albert begged for time. but Porter Leon
ard was ineIorablc: and he said b. had
waited long enough for his money Al
last young LindcU consented 10 sign the
note, payable 10 his" attorney In fact ."
Dr. Davis. II Leonard would lend him
800 cash. Mr.. LeOnaTd did this. and
added the amount to the note. This
business was transacted 10 his perfect
Subtraction. Mr.. Leonard took tie first
coach for Webster, and returned 10 Den
vcr by the South Park road. DR.. Davis
honprcd the note, and secured IL by "A
deed Of trust. The deed was recorded
on the day on which ii was delivered.
ana Porter Leonard il happy.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
As 10 Hats.

mans hat, unlike bonnet. Is often
indicative Of his character. for he is al
lowed 10 choose from a great variety Of
styles that which best suits his tempera-
n mt or acc' rds with his moral sense.
And yet shocking had hat ~ does not
always reveal a shocking bad character.
Hats. - well as dreams, often go TO con-
trarics. Wendell Phi l'ips' gray slouched
hat Is no sign of any slouchiness in
Wendell, and the bright beaver of the
burglar is no indication of shining moral
attributes in the wearer. The chief
beauty Of the modern hat is that il is
emincntly useful. Sociates. whose cri-
terion of beauty was adaptedness TO use.
would have been delighted with such
hats as ninc-tenths of modern men wear,
though we fear lac would ask. Cui bono
II presented with a beaver.
The ideal hat, perhaps, j. yet 10 be
made. but we have come pretty near TO
IL. 1t keeps the head warm in winter
and cool in summer. ii protects the eyes
and face from the sun. ii is impermcable
60 the rain and vet not to the air. IL is
soft and yielding. il may be sat upon and
iammed into the pocket without injury,
and rolled in the dust or mud and come
oat untarnished. and. above all, il will
endure the ravages of time. What more
does a man want of a hat9 Compared
with the ephemeral bonnet. IL is "a thing
Of beauty and a JOY forever" an elic
poem. riponing with the years. The q,
fore, what man having worn an old ! nj
straightway desireth n new? For lee
saith the old is better. Springfield UJgb ".
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
Hideons Story Of a Pair Of Shoes.

For some time past the shoes worn by
young medical student Of this CITY
have been n source Of constant curiosity
and no little comment among bis friends.
II was certainly something unusual that
created this attention. for they were
neither particularly large nor peculiarly
small, nor yet were they in citl cr 80
good or bad repair 10 excite more than "A
passing glance. They were simply a
pair oi ordinary low shoes. but IL was
their texture and the strange material OF
which they were constructed that made
them at once curious and remarked
Tho leather j. light brown in color and
sirchkcd with parallel veinings Of a
darker shade. the whole a. soft as silk.
Among hi- friends the doctor in embryo
makes no secret Of the mystery Of his
ioot-gcar. They are made from the
skin 0f a belle Of Cincinnati" he says,
giving the name of one Of the leading
families Of that city and while the hair
Of his listeners begin to assume perpen-
dicular position, he goes on 10 tell how
during his term al college he was one
night sought out by a rcsurrcctionist "a
nous among the medical men, who
offered 10 sell hip a subject Just
snatchcd' from a city cemetery. How
the corpse (thai ola beautiful young girl
her smooth, white hand. showed her TO
b. of no poor family was bought by
several of the students. and how. when
the body, slashcd by the knife Of the dis
scctcr, lay upon the table. he crcpt in
and cut the skin from the round limbs.
The ghastly bundle. securely wrapped
and tied, WAS packed in an old gripsack
and sent with an explanatory letter 10
well known shoemakorin this city. The
skin was then tanned and polished, and
finally placed in the hands of a skillful
workman, and under his manipulations
transformed into a pair of low summer
shoes. The remainder of the tanned skin
now lies in the shop. and il il said may
readily be produced TO verify the story.
The body Of the poor dead girl. hacked
and mu;ilatcd. found a namelcss grave.
while the mound reared in her memory
in the cemetery of the city j. draped
with flowers and vines planted by loving
hands above the empty coffin.
The shoes fashioned from her flesh
tread our streets every day. Their story.
IN alliis hideous grotesqencss. i voucheC
for as strictly and absolutely true. and
certainly furnishes no mean leaf in the
history Of the dissecting-room --Ldfdy-
ctto (Iad. CoUric,.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
4 Balloon with Paddle wheels.

There is balloon man up in Canada
named Cowan. His principal object in
lite Is to steer n balloon and make the
air navigable like water lie hasn't got
quite to that point yet, but he has made
n step or two toward Il. Ills balloon is
called the Canada. IL Is fitted with two
paddle wheels. which are worked by n
crank and which can be turned in any
direction. There is also n sort of helm.
The balloon made an ascension in June.
but storm nearly wrecked It. a second
trial was made Mt st. IIyacinthe. and. as
to the success of the enterprise, accounts
differ somewhat. The paddles work
something like oars. and, after stroke
has been made. feather and offer no re-
sistance. When the crank was set In
motion IL was found that the network
interiered. and the cords were broken in
spots, consequently fair trial could not
be given the paddles. When the wind
blows strong IL IL not claimed that the
machinery will amount to much, but
several times during the trip the balloon
was made TO ascend and descend by
means Of the crank for few hundred
feet. The speed was also considerably
accelerated when going with the wind.
The aefonauts at one time undertook to
cha &C the direction of the balloon by
means Of the ruddcr--" lacking they
call II. They managed To tack " for n
couple of miles, then the helm swung the
great gas bag around and II forged ahead,
ruddtr first. The balloon men, how
ever. claim that they have achieved n
triumph, and expect In time to run the
machine with considerable degree oI
success. Some Improvements will now
ha fnada and anafhpr trial had In N short
time. --Thilddelphid Times.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
The Whistling Tree.

In the vegetable world there are many
notable productions. but one of the most
curious is n species Of acacia. which Is
found In Nubia, where groves Of the
trees may be seen over loo square miles
in extent. The Arabs call il the sofar
q. C.. flute or pipe), in allusion to a pc
culiar property that this acacia possesses.
Owing TO the inroads of the larvm Of in.
seCts. Il ivory-white shoots of the tree
are frequently distorted In shape and
swollen at their base into n globular.
bladder-hkc gall about one inch In d.
ameter. Ater the insect has emerged
from circular hole this thorn-like shoot
becomes n kind of musical instrument.
upon which the wind, n Il plays, dis.
courses music In the regular sound Of the
flute. The natives of the Soudan, on
account Of the flute properties Of the
acacia, call Il the whistling tree"
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
Romance OF . Hair.

This romance ofa hair comes from Vi
emma; A poor girl with beautiful hair
went To barber TO sell it. He tried 90
make close bargain. saying hair was
plentiful this year. and declared he
could only give her eight forms. The
little maiden's eyes filled with tears, and
she hesitated moment while threading
her fingers through her chestnut locks.
Finally she threw herself into a chair
and said Then take 1t quickly" The
barber was about TO cut of the trcsses.
when n gentleman. sitting In one Of the
chairs, interrupted him and spoke to the
girl. My child" said he. why do
you sell your beautiful hair?" MY
mother has been nearly five months ili.
| cannot work enough 10 support us.
Everything has been sold or pawncd,
and there Is not n penny in the house."
No. no, my child ii that Is the case.
viii buy your hair and give YOU one
hundred horins for It." lie gave the
poor girl the note, the sight Of which
dried her tears, end he took up the bar
bcr's shears. Taking the locks In his
hand. he selected the longest hair, cut II
OF. and put Il carefully in his pocket
book, thus paying one hundred forms
for a single hair. lie took the poor girls
address, In case he should want 10 buv
another at the eame rate. This charita-
bic gentleman Is mentioned as The head
Of laage industrial establishment ia
Vienna.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
Not Ashamed Of his Mother.

The late John Crossley once enter
tanned the Prince of Wales and n num-
ber of other titled people AT his magnii-
cent house of Manor Heath. One even
ing after his guests had been shown over
the beautiful place some of them sat
convcrsing with him respecting his ear
lier days. And concerning his mother
he answered thus: "Oh. my mother
was remarkable woman; she was once
u farm servant; she lived fourteen years
in the same family; she had TO milk the
cows and churn the butter. and carry il
To market; she had for Il long time only
E9 "A year wages, and yet she managed
to save nice sum, and her leisure
hours were filled up with spinning wool.
her mistress allowing her fourth of the
profits for herself" " Ah,' said friend
who was present, perhaps YOU are in
dcbted to your good mother for some Of
your success in the spinning .word?'
"Oh, yes hc replied; under God,
blessing | owe everything Ia my
mother
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04

Directed to the fourth story by the con-
cierge, | ascended and found myself in
regal apartments, sparkling in gilt, mir
rors, frescocs and laces. An infnity of
confections were upon exhibition. and.
though their construction justified the
prices. they exceeded what | was able to
pay. No bonnet for less than twelve
dollars. and many for twenty-five, and ]
should have turned away had itnot been
for the courtesy OF the accomplished sales
ladies-I may apply the word ladies " in
its every acceptation-in manner. in APP
pearance and in education. Both hand
some. the younger past youth, the elder
had crossed the meridian Of life. and vet
either Of them would have shaken the
saintship Of an anchorite" by subtle
grace and liquid voice and talking eyes
and so they succeeded in selling me a
bonnet.
How could I resist the Influence ol
two such seductive 6attercrs and liars
They compelled me to be seated before n
mirror. and one bonnet after another
adorned my pate; for she was quite sure
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
Tricks OF London booksellers.

4 seller Of old books in London ha.
written for the IilN MAI GdssUs a con.
fcssion of afcw Of his sins. which would
gladden. the heart Of many an American
buyer II the writer gave any evidence 81
repentance. 4 number ofus." lac says.
" crowd into AN auCtign-Toom. where a
library j. brought to the hammer. and
buy every article. Here all know one
another. and each one bids for ihr rest.
There II, therefore. no advance on tho
first bid. unless an outsider int@rfrrcs.
when we soon run the price up beyond
what lac cares to give. This trick. re-
pcatrd ~ often ns necessary. disgusts the
outsiders and secures the whole stock for
ourselves at far Jess than it, real value. -"
When the auction Is over they "Totirc
To n ncighboring tavern and repeat ii y
among themselves There tho volumes
go at fair prices, which allows the buyer
forty per cent. for profit on his private
business. " All being sold, we cast up
the totals Of the two sales. subtract the
smaller from the greater, and divide tho
remainder equally among those present. .
This j. not all nor Is IL the most start
ling confession One Of the Graf has
to make. I'VE have n good many ways
uf enhancing the value Of our wares.
''''bi tt'T W aii N'iAN Nhb "f ~ 81
viCeablc Ia us In way about TO he
described as those merely literary. are
dying off every day, and their Libraries
disposed Of In these cases we look up
from our stock all likely books. furnish
them with sham plates and autographs
and soon get rid Of them at fancy prices.
II Is fact that after Lord Macaulay's
death thousands Of volumes which hr
never saw were sold in this way "a com.
ing from his library
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
For Smallpox and Scarlet Fever.

A correspondent forwards to the New
York Tribasne the following prescription
for smallpox and scarlet fever. which
he asserts has been singularly successful
In hundreds of eases. 1t Is. Sulpllate of
zinc, one grain; foxgloye (digitalis). one
grain; half teaspoon Of sugar; mix In
two tabiespoonfuls of water. When
thoroughly mixed add four ounces of
water. Take n spoonful every hour.
Either disease will disappear In twelve
hours. For children. small doses ac-
cerding to age.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
How She Keeps her Husband nj Home

Wives who have difficulty in keeping
their husbands at home at night should
profit by the plans Chicago wife
adopted. The Chicago Tribune says that
young wife Of that city who is anx-
ious to keep her husband home even
ings flatters him about the cxquisitcly
dainty proportions Of his feet, and in
duces him to wear boots about two sizes
too small for him. He is on his feet all
day long in town, and when he comes
home at night, she has "A soft chair and
a pair ofloose, cool slippers tor him. and
by the time he. with great drops Of
agony pearling on his brow, has got of
his boots, he comes To the conclusion
that there is no place like home after
all, and has no desire To go down town
Ia lodge or sit up with sick friend.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-07-07
SUICIDE BY SHOOTING.
George yelling, Of CovingtOn, Found Dead
in an Open Field.

Officers Thomas Davis and John Ryan, oi
the Corryville Station, about half-past 8
o'clock yesterday afternoon found the body
Of man, unknown TO them, lying on his
face, dead, in the field between Mclean
streets and the Widows Home.
The body was still warm Blood was
oozng from the mans eyes and nostrils and
from wound in the left side, about four
inches below the region of the heart
Near the body was found new 92-lOt
caliber revolver, two of the chambers oi
which had been emptied. A box of car
tridges almost full was found in one of the
pockets of the mans coat.
In another pocket was found box CON
tanning new 22-100 caliber revolver with
a small swab and box of cartridges. Ali
of the chambers of this revolver were
loaded.
A number of papers were also found on
his person. Two of these were orders
drawn upon Teutonia Lodge, Ancient Or
der of United Workmen, No. 26, Coving
ton, in favor of w. H. Turner G. r. One
of the orders was for $165, and the Other
for $53, and both were dated July !. Botl
had been indorsed by w. H. Turner, Crane
Recorder of the Teutonia Lodge No. 26, A
0. U. w.
Among the other articles 1ound We're
paper for application for membership II
the Covington Pioneer Association, an OH
cial envelope from the office Of Mr.. Bris
tow, Clerk Of kenton County, Ky, snutf
box, and SO % in money.
Coroner Carrck was summoned and hac
the body removed to Mr.. Habig's under
taking establishment, No. 1873 West Sixtl
street. An inquest will be held tomorrow
morning at o'clock.
This morning the body Of the man, who
without doubt committed suicide, wa
identified as that of George yelling, wh'
lived at No. 245 Pike street. in Coyington
Ky. The deceased was fifty-four years OLE
and leaves wife and seven grown chill
dren all boys. yelling left home on Sat
urday morning, and had not been seei
since.
lie was Treasurer of Teutonia Lodge, A
0. U. W., No. 26, and this explains tn
finding of the papers on his person.
The body of the suicide was removed t
| Coyington this afternoon.