davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
Comets

The comets on record exceed 800
What are called "short-period comets
are Encke's, whose time of revolution
is st years; De Vico's, 81; Winnecke's,
81; Brorson's, 81; Bida's, 81; D'Arrest's,
81; Faye's, u; Mechain's, 134; Halley's,
76f.
The long-period comets are those of
1880, whose time of revolution is S,814
years; that of 1744, 1868 years; of
1870, 1874 years; of 1911, 5000 years !;
of 1910, 1864 years; of 1914, 102,O5O
years; of 1S47, 1898 years; Of 1858,
$4,000 years of 1860, Is, 1854 years.
Bielas' comet divided into two parts
in 1916, and in 1852 those parts were
l,25O,OO0,000 miles apart, and had en-
tirely disappeared by 1866 @
Coggia's comet was discovered in
1874. 1t is non-periodical and was 1885,
100000 miles from the sun when dis
covered. In July of that year it was
within 62,000,O00 miles of both earth
and sun, and it's tail was computed to
be 100000 miles in length.
Donati's comet, discovered in 1853,
had a tail 100000 miles long, and
it's main body very nearly collided with
Venus. Although supposed to be va
porous, this comet was calculated by M.
Faye to have the weight of a sea 327
feet deep and 10000 square miles in
extent.
Halley's comet has been identified as
identical with the comets of 1851, 1907,
1865 and 1928. It's reappearance is
prognosticated for 1912.
Gucke's comet possesses no tail,
usually. In 1849, however, it presented
two tails, one toward and one from the
sun.
Lexell's, or "the lost comet" was
caught or entangled among the satel-
lites of Jupiter in ITO, reappeared in
1779, again became entangled, and has
not been seen since.
The superstitions of all times and ma
tons have regarded the appearance of
comets with dread, us being omens of
disaster. The spectroscope fails to
show their chemical composition. It
was shown by Schiapavilli, in 1879, that
comets are sometimes connected with
meteoric showers, and his discovery has
been Endorsed by noted astronomers.
Lycho Brahe discovered that comets
are extraneous to our atmosphere, and
Newton that they are subjected to the
same principle which guides the
planets.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
THE OLD HOME.
BY G. w. HATToN.

Where the ash tree and the elm, and the maple
Lies q waste of rocks and rubbish-the piacesI
hardly know; -
I'm sad to look upon it, it fills my soul with care
Prone the ground, decaying. lies the old hickory
tree
fused to climb SO often-how dear it was to rael
Naught but the trunk is standing of the noblest
The large majestic elm, that grew so straight and
I've watched it from my window, when but little
And thought it bowed to greet me, responsive to
it lowered like giant, SO very very high,
thought it's tallest branches almost reached the
sky.
Some vandal hand hath girdled this monarch in its
And the cruel blows were deadly. for the grand old
tree has died. etg.yt,rtf
Where the stream once kissed the hillside. in It's
gentle, steady flow,
lis world of weeds and elders as thick as they can
grow;
For the stream has changed its channel and flows
another way
Far Off the shore fshedJ from on many sunny
day.
I'm surely not mistaken? No; this is the maple
Whose branches kissed the water, and fondly shell
tered me. t , s.zE G.-
The spring looks very natural, the very same of
old,
and the water clear as crystal! How cheerful to
behold,
As it flows with gentle ripple DER its rocky bed
With q sound sweet ever, though many a
year has fed. '358tt'. - @-' pc
The thorn-tree near the ste-I loved most of all
Not forts size and beauty'twas neither large nor
tall
But because my father loved it, and rested meath
it's shade
On seat of rustic fashion which he himself had
made. 5
Twas for his sake loved it, for side by side have
Sat hours and hours together, beneath that pre-
cious tree, .,-. Ace. ..t B ~ .. f..
Talking of men and nations, of statesmen, Lords
and Kings, 5 fl GbIiD 3J3}OE
And the sorrows that oppression to the human
family brings; nj Il j @h@ .%t}@. ft5
For he hated Kings and tyrants as the soldier only
~ t5t} ..+'.''' 't.- "
Who has fought against oppression and for his ma
tive land.
This sacred spot lies vacant tree nor post nor
vine d.. 3d.. .-....
Remains to match the picture that fingers in the
mind .t ... t..l ... ...,-A. ..
'Tis the way with all we cherish, with all the heart
revereS; ..rt -..r '.,.i ..r .....-tt .E.t -..
Our landmarks fade and perish with the lapse of
busy years. .t.. ,a#
COLUMBIA, Mo.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
The Fortunes of the Presidents.

Washington left an estate worth
100000. John Adams died modera tely
we'll off. Jefferson died SO poor that if
Congress had not given $4,000 for his
library he would have been bankrupt
Madison was economical and died rich.
Monroe died so poor that he was buried
at the expense of his relatives in this
city. John Quincy Adams left about
$4,000, the result of prudence. His
son, Charles Francis Adams, gained
large fortune by marriage. Jackson
died moderately well off. Van Buren,
died worth some 100000. It is said
that during his entire administration
he never drew any portion of his salary,
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
MY MARINER.

On, he goes away, singing.
Singing over the sea
Oh. he comes again. bringing
JOY and himself to me-.
Down through the rosemary hollow
ana up the wet beach ran.
MY heart in tiutter to follow
Ihe Hight Of my sailor man
Fle on husband sitting
Sull in the house at home,
owe me mariner. fitting
ana Hashing over the foam!
UlHe me voice resounding
Inc songs of the breezy maini
owe me free heart bounding
Eyermore hither again,
p coming Is better than going;
but never was Queen so grand
As l. while watch him blowing
Away from the lazy land.
have welded an ocean-rover.
And with him own the sea:
Yet over the waves come over
And anchor, my lad, by me.
Hark to his billowy laughter,
Bl1the on the homeward tide!
marx to it. heart! up and after;
OF to the harbor-side:
Down through the rosemary hollow
and over the sand hills, light
And swift as sea- bird, follow;
AND no! for sail in sight!
y L0Fcona, IN HdTpey'S Magazine.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
Our C0micaI PrOgenitor.

A little fellow rushed into the street,
recently, to look at monkey that &C.
companied an organ-grinder who was
playing in front of an adjoining block.
Never having perused the "Origin of
Man," he gazed in wonder and admira-
ton few moments, and then rushing
into the house he met his grandmother,
to whom he addressed this inquiry !:
Grandmother, who made monkeys ?"
"God, my boy" replied the old lady, in
her candid way. "Well," said the ex-
citable grandson in rejoinder, "I'n bet
God laughed when he got the first
monkey done" -Norauich Bulletin.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
THE ANDES BY HAND-CAR.
A Philadelphian's Perilous Ride-A Won.
derful Railroad

A Philadelphian's Perilous Ride-A Won
derful Railroad.
A correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press, writing from Chicla, Peru. saws !:
Here | am among the snow capped
peaks of the Andes, acclimating myself
to a trip over the mountains. whose
highest point, 1910 feet, I intend to
scale. Leaving Lima this morning
with party of officers, I came over the
celebrated Oroya railroad to Matucana,
and from there by the light express to
this place, the present terminus OF the
road The building of this road was
one OF the greatest undertakings the
world has ever Known. It is only COM
pleted eighty-six miles, and cost $780,
100000. From the sea-coast to the
summit of the Andes we passed through
forty-four tunnels, and over many
bridges, one Of them 900 feet high.
The road follows the valley of the river
Rimac, crossing and recrossing it many
times. From Matucana to the top is
nothing but succession of VS., U.s. and
doublings. Some of the places are
truly frightful. AS you pass around a
mountain peak you can look for thou
sands of feet below, and still above you
can see the lofty peaks OF the Andes.
Even here at Chicla we are still 5000 feet
from the top, and the railroad tunnel on
the summit will be over $4,000 feet
above the sea. ...s fz.sl ...
Chiela is the highest railroad station
and within few feet of the highest
city in the world. In Lima or Callao
the lightest clothes would be very COM
Portable, but up here [ wear a double
suit OF heavy underclothing and large
ulster. With all my clothes I am
nearly freezing, and a red-hot stove
close by, at that. Less than week
ago [ was in the tropical seas of the
equator-quite change. Most people
here are troubled with what they call
"soroche," headache, nausea, and some
times bleeding at the nose, mouth and
ears. The air is so rare it is difficult to
breathe.
At the invitation of the roadmaster,
[ took ride with him down the road.
We were just ahead of the regular train,
and we started off like streak of light
ming. [ have been in a good many tight
places in my life, but never in posi-
ton to make my hair literally stand on
end as it did in coming down the
Andes on hand-car. Never. till my
dying day can [ forget that ride. Start
ing among the very clouds, down, down
we came; disappearing like flash in
tunnel of pitchy darkness and out on to
frail- looking iron bridge over mighty
gorge from 200 to 800 feet deep. We
stopped in long, curved tunnel to look
at some work that was going on, and
did not hear the train in our rear until
it was in the tunnel. We could not
lift the hand-car of: so we made
spring for it, cut loose the brake, and
made dash for our lives. And truly
it looked SO, for she came in full view
before we were we'll across the gorge; ;
and on she came at the rate of mile
minute, but we were going by this
time much faster than that, and in a
short time we left her far behind. We
reached Matacuna, twenty-three miles
from Chicla, in safety, but since [ come
to think it all over [ would hardly dare
to try it again.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
THOMAS II. STopFELL and Helen Rec

THOMAS 81. SToPFELL and Helen Reed
were married at Ebensburg, Pa, against
the wishes Of the Reed family, the
brides brother, particularly, having op-
posed the match. The young couple
we're at the village hotel, getting ready
to start on honeymoon tour, and the
brother dashed into the room in great
rage, and attempted to shoot Stopfell.
The girl saved her husbands life by
Selling her brothers pistol; but the ex-
element speedily caused her death.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04

but on leaving took the whole 800, 900
in lump. Polk left about $4,000.
Tyler married lady of wealth and ae-
complishments. and died rich. Fillmore
was always an economical man, and
added to his wealth by his last mar
riage. Pierce saved about $4,000.
Buchanan left about 100000; Lincoln
about $75 1000; johnson about $4,000.
Baltimore Gazette.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04
Found Out ALI About 1t.

A Paris editor says: while looking
for the word Lexicograph in Littre's
Dictionary, edition of 1875, we found
Lexicograph: One who is concerned in
Photographed studies Looking then
for 'Lexicographical,' we found: THAT
which pertains to photography Final
~, looking for Lexicography, we found !:
THE science of the Photograph Now
we know all about it."
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04

A BACHELOR, upon reading that two
lovers will sit up all night, with one
chair in the ROOM" said it could not be
done unless one of them sat on the
floor. Such ignorance is painful.
The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-09-04


mortal fear Of them, she was thoughtful
enough and conscientious enough to
own up.
The occurrence of really great and
popular campmeeting always consti-
tuted good time" especially, and in
more ways than one, for hardl y-worked
and self-denying class who. as I have
already shown, were not infrequently
doomed to unpleasant associations and
poor rations.
One of these, stationed in one of the
hardest and most remote of outlying
districts on the head-waters of the Big
Sandy, complained dolefully on one oc-
casion to his little congregation that of
the $40 salary allowed him for clothing,
and shoes for his horse for the breth-
rem were expected to feed the two gra-
tbs, of course, on their rounds-!"he had
SO far received for that year but 800;
and, brethren" he continued, plaintive-
~, $50 of that was counterfeit"
1t was possible, indeed, that his audi
ences did not all appreciate his theo-
logical or literary accomplishments,
since on one occasion he gave out a
well-known hymn, after version not
found exactly in the books, thus:
Turn, sinners, turn; oh, why will ye dies
The Lord, your Maker, 6 axes you why.
And yet he meant well, no doubt,
and belonged to that little and brave
and self denying phalanx who have done
so much for the West especially; men
who, having few fine churches, preach
when and how they can, having some
times "swum rivers and preached in
their wet clothes" rather than disap-
point waiting congregations. who had
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
They laughed and they cried in their innocent

They laughed and they cried in their innocent
glee.
And shouted for papa to come quick and see
What presents old Santa CLAUS brought ia the
hight,
Dust the things that they wanted), and left
before light.
And now added Annie, in voice soft and
low,
You believe there's Santa Claus, papa know,
While dear little Willie climbed up on his knee,
Determined no secret between them should be,
And told in soft whispers how Annie had said
That their dear blessed mamma, SO long ago
dead,
Used to kneel down and pray by the side OF
her chair,
And that God in heaven had answered her
prayer
Then we dot up and prayed dust as we'll as we
tould,
And bod answered our prayers-now wasn't
He dood?'
Il should say that He was if He sent you all
these,
And knew just what presents my children
would please
(Well, WELL let him think SO, the dear little elf
'Twoul be cruel to tell him did it myself. J
Blind father, who caused your stern heart to
relent?
And the hasty words spoken, SO soon to repentf
Twas the Being who made you steal softly ur
stairs,
And made you His agent to answer thei,
prayers.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
CHRYsANTHEMUMs.
A Beautiful Legend of Christmas from
fiacL Earesf-

Beautiful Legend OF Christmas from the
Black Forest.
1t was christmas Eve. The night was
very dark and the snow falling fast, as
Hermann, charcoal-bu drew his
cloak tighter around him, and the wind
whistled fiercely through the trees of
the Black Forest. He had been to carry
load to castle near, and was now
Fastening home to his little hut. Al
though he worked very hard, he was
poor, gaining barely enough for the
wants of his wife and his four little
children. He was thinking OF them,
when hs heard faint wailing. Guided
by the sound, he CROPPED about and
found a little child, scantily clothed,
shivering and sobbing.byitselfin thesnow.
"Wby, little one, have they left thee
here, all alone, to face this cruel blast?"
The child answered nothing, but
looked piteously up IN the charcoal
burners face.
swell, I can not leave thee here
Thou would'st be dead before the morn
ing"
So saying, Hermann raised it in his
arms. wrapping it in his cloak and
warming its cold hands in his bosom.
When he arrived at his hut he put down
the child and raped at the door, which
was Immediately thrown open, and the
children rushed to meet him.
"Here, wife, is guest to our Christ
mas Eve supper, said he, leading in tho
little one, who held timidly to his finger
with its tiny hand.
stAnd welcome he is" said the wife.
Snow, let him come and warm himself
by the fire."
The children all pressed round to
welcome and gaze at the little newcomer.
They showed BIN their pretty figtree,
decorated with bright-colored lamps IN
honor of Christmas Eve, which the good
mother had endeavored to make fete
for the children.
Then they sat down to supper, each
child contributing OF its portion for the
guest, looking with admiration at its
clear, blue eyes and golden hair, which
shone SO as to shed a brighter light in
the little room, and as they gazed it
| grew into O sort of halo round his head,
and his eyes beamed with q heavenly
luster. Soon two white wings appeared
at his shoulders, and he seemed to grow
larger and larger, and then the beauti-
full vision vanished, spreading out his
hands as if in benediction over them.
Hermann and his wife fell on their
knees, exclaiming, in awe-struck Voices:
ssThe holy Christ-child !" and then en-
braced their wondering children in JOY
and thankfulness that they had enter
tanned the Heavenly guest.
Toe next morning, as Herman passed
by the place where he had foun the
fair child, he saw cluster of lovely
white flowers, with dark green leaves,
looking as though the snow itself had
blossomed. Hermann plucked some,
and carried them reverently home to his
wife and children, who treasured the
fair blossoms and tended them carefully
in remembrance of that wonderful Christ
mas Eve, calling them chrysanthemums
and every year, as the time came round,
they put aside portion of their feast,
and gave it TO some poor little child, &C
cording to the words of the Christ: ssIn
asmuch as We have done it to one of the
least of these, my brethren, ye have
done it unto me"
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24

birth and celebrated it with eatertain-
ments. The Romans made it holiday
dedicated to Janus. From the Romans
tho custom of making presents was
present New Years Day is appropriated
to receptions by officials and TO receiving
and returning calls and in extending the
bounds of kind feelings and hospitality.
While Christmas brings together scstter-
ed households and contributes SO much
to the enjoyment of the young, New
Years Day is devoted by those OF ma
tured years to q review of the past, the
arrangements of business and social re-
Taxation. 1t is day of good resolutions
of the CONNER sment Of diaries which
are soon thrown aside and forgotten,
and Of hopes too seldom realized.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
He Sent Her a Christmas Present.

Christmas was sorry day for young
Mr.. Woolley. For weeks he had laid
awake o. nights, thinking what he could
send his girl for Christmas present -
Yesterday morning he again counted his
money, tucked up his greasy coat collar
and strolled into a bookstore. ssHa hal"
said he, al have it-a book of poems,
thirty-fve cents But how will she re
ceive it. he queried, as he deposited
the brass pennies on the counter. This
is, indeed, world of tribulation; sup
pose my dear Charlotte should tell me
that she would not accept it The fates
forbid it; and newly, would feel
like dining in the back yard.
After moments reflection he be-
thought himself Of messenger boy
s.Ten cents more gone" said he, sorrow
fully, and must write note. How
would this sound
ssMERRY CHRISTMAS.
my Dear Charlotte:
81 send you this little book of poems.
Please accept it as small token OF my
esteem. Yours truly,
W. WooLLEY."
An hour later, as Mr.. Woolley was
picking chicken bone in his boarding.
house, q small parcel and delicately
written note were placed before him
Tearing open the letter he read:
CHRISTMAS.
W. Woolley, Esq:
Book received. Cant accept it. Have
no use Tor book on False hair and
how to utilize it, Farewell forever.
CHARLOTTE.
The bookseller had done up the
wrong package; that was alll-N. Y.
Express.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24
The Christmas Carol.


George Moore, the eminent English
philanthropist, who has recently died,
began life in extreme poverty.
His biographer, Samuel Smiles, gives
a pitiful account of bis crying in the
friends and could not find work.
His middle life was passed In we'll
earned af1uence, and his last years were
spent in the grand old castle of the
ancient Percys, which he had gazed
upon in awe in boyhood, and which his
great wealth at last enabled him to pur-
chase for home.
His moral life was q succession OF
growthe.
He was exposed to great temptations
in youth, but when he came to feel that
the tendency of his life was wrong in
any direction, he arrested the wrong
course by prompt decision.
1t was these decisions, these constant
turnings from evil courses into life's
best ways, that led him at last to
career of worldly success, piety, and
philanthropy.
He thus describes one of the danger
GUS periods of his first apprenticeship:
"My master gave way to drinking,
lodged in the public house nearly all
the time, and saw nothing but wicked
ness and drinking, I played cards
almost every night. sometimes played
the whole night through. Gambling WIS
mypassion and might have been my ruin.
1t was Christmas morning. The APP
prentice lad had spent the night at the
card-taole. He had retired long after
midnight, with q conscience i'll at ease,
and the prospect of dismissal from his
masters service before him.
Suddenly his ear was arrested by
strains of music.
The gray light was breaking, and the
waits, as is the custom in England, were
abroad playing carols.
The music brought before his mind,
like vision, his old home, the future
dangers of his present course, and, In
contrast with his own eclipsed life, the
luminous Bethlehem story.
"Corne, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
Come We, oh come ye to Bethlehemi
Come and adore Hira.
Born the king of angela.
Let's hasten to adore Him,
Let's hasten to adore Him,
Let's hasten to adore Him,
Christ our Lordr'
"Better thoughts" he says, came
over me with the sweet carols. l felt
overwhelmed with remorse and peni-
tence. thought of my dear father, and
feared that might break his heart. and
bring his gray hairs in SORROW to the
grave. resolved to give up card play
ina and gambling. This resolve, by the
grace of God, have firmly carried ont.
Many years passed, and George
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24

On Candlemas day all the Christmas
garlands were taken down, although
now they are often left hanging until
Lent. But as each year goes by some
faint, familiar custom drops silently
into the past. Thus many splendid
ceremony, many royal feast, many an
innocent sport and wilder revel, which
once ,ishered in the merry Christmas
tide, has subsidized into oblivion. But
never, we may venture to say, will
Christmas itself cease to be remembered
and to be joyfuIy celebrated, and, az
time rolls ON, who can help wishing In
his heart that each succeeding Christmas
may be merrier than the last 7-,Sophte
Sp0rkle.
The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1879-12-24

The pie was made in oblong, coffin
shape, to represent the manger In which
the infant Savior lay, and the spices,
fruits, etc., of which it was composed,
were symbolical of the precious gifts
brought by the magii. The English
cavaliers of the olden time delighted in
the mince-pie. while the Puritans ao-
horred it.
The famous boar's head was always
brought to the Christmas feast with
great ceremony, such as the sounding OF
trumpets, singing of carols, and SO on.
1t was decked with s'garlands gay and
rosemary" and served upon silver
platter. In former times Christmas fes-
tivities were continued until Twelfth
day. One day more st. Distaff s-was
allowed before returning to the usual
routine of daily toll:
Partly work and partly play,
Ye must, on st. Distaff's day.