davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
DISMAL AND UNTRUE.
Our Public School System--Is 1t Secures
(Toledo BladeJ

(Toledo BladeJ
An article in the last number of the
North American Review presents rather
dark picture of the condition of the pub
lie schools in this country. He imagines
that the whole system is breaking down
and that the time will come ere long
when something new will have to be de-
vised, if the people of the United States
are to be educated.
While some of the authors assertions
may contain a grain Of truth in them, he
is entirely at fault with regard to his
main idea. The public schools are not
breaking down, not losing their hold upon
the Nation While they have been affect
ed, like everything else,by the hard times,
their success still lies very near to the
heart OF American citizens generally, and
much hard labor is expended to make
them thorough and effective. At no
time of our National existence have the
influences of the public school seemed
important for our continued prosperity as
the present, and the fact is fully recogniz-
ed by the majority.
The increase in the number of the un-
educated which statistics show-an in.
crease arising from immigration and
growing pauperism-while the laws plac-
ing the ballot in the hands of every male
citizen, no matter how ignorant he may
be, remains the same, renders the continu-
ance and welfare of these institutions a
matter of vital importance, and is one OF
the strongest arguments for an added
force--that of compulsory education.
While the school system is not now
broken down and appears in no present
or immediate peril, or is yet menaced with
dangers which require to be guarded
against with vigor and determination
The two which have now the greatest
force are politics and sectarianism. With
regard to the frst,the "Blade" has several
times emphatically expressed itself
When party issues are allowed to control
the business matters of body to which
is intrusted such important interests, the
good of people is lost sight OF, the ex'
celence of the schools is a minor consid
Grafton and their progress made subservi-
ent to the political aspiration OF this OF
that candidate for Office.
Sectarianism in education has beer
urged by the Catholic denomination, bu
not to any extent by any other. The OBJ
jectons to it are so strong, it is SO entire
ly at variance with that spirit OF freedom
which is interviewer with all the institu
tons of the country, that it does not seen
the good of the Nation at heart could Sc
riousiy advocate such thing. 1t is don't
however, and every effort made to divide
the public educational funds for this pur
pose, an effort which, in a few instances
has succeeded. This success is to be de
plored for if there is anything which is tt
be guarded against it is prescription TO
mere opinions sake and this is the spiri
upon which denominational public school
would be founded, and that which the,
would inculcate in youth.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Uncle Dick weighs sixty five tons, and
is sixty feet long from his headlight to
the rear end of his tender. He is the
biggest locomotive in the world, and has
Just been turned out of the Baldwin Lo-
comotive Works for duty on the precip-
itous inclines of the Atchison, Topeka
and Santa Fe railroad.
A boiler twenty-on feet long supplies
steam for cylinders twenty inches by
twenty y-six, and gives motion to eight for
tv-two-inch drivers, while large tank.
surrnounting the entire structure, nos
only carries water supply, but helps to
give Uncle Dick tighter grip on the rail.
His driver will have control over three
independent systems of air brakes and
can bring to bear at once upon his wheels
a restraining force of seventy'five tons,
which is none too large, inasmuch as
"shoe pressure" of 10000 pounds is re.
ouired to keep him, when standing still
and alone on the steep road over tho
Ruton pass, from surrendering to gravita.
ton and rushing down the hill by his
own weight
How heavy these grades are can be un.
derstood when it is noted that one end Of
Uncle Dick will often stand more than
three feet higher than the other, so that
in travelling his own length he will do the
work of lifting about ESQ tons perpen'
dicular foot. And yet this monster, re-
ioicing in his strength, will rush up tho
flank Of the Rocky mountains with ter
,o,Jad care behind him.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
Davenport Gazette.)

He was squirting tobacco juice over the
floor of the saloon, and telling how capital
oppressed labor, when one Of the dozen
men in the place inquired:
"Are you one o them communists"
~ hold, sir, that we must have an equal
distribution of property-yes, sir, or we'll
fight, sir" was the ponpous reply.
STRANGER kin you lend me chaw of
tobacco,' asked the questioner
A box full OF fine cut was handed him
He put it in his pocket, and was walking
away, when the communist called out:
"Beg pardon, but you are carrying of
my tobaccow
"Sall right--s'all right" replied th'
other. IL was out; you have plenty. W.
have got to even this business up, yo,
know, and you keep the box, and I'll keel
the tobacco"
He was too big to lick, and the com
munist put the empty box in his poke
end refused to laugh with the crowd.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
Train Boys for Business

There is one element in the home in
struction Of boys to which, says Boston
paper, too little attention has been given;
and that is the cultivation Of habits Of
punctuality, system, order and responsi-
bilty. In too many households boys,
from twelve to seventeen years, are too
much administered to by loving mothers
or other female members of the family.
Boys lives during those years are the
halcyon days Of their existence. Up in
the morning just in the season for break
fast; nothing to do but to start off early
enough not to be too late; looking upon
an errand as taking so much time and
memory away from enjoyment; little
thought of personal appearance, except
when reminded by mother to "spruce up"
little, finding his wardrobe always where
mother puts tin fact, having nothing to
do but enjoy himself.
Thus his life goes on until school ends.
Then he is ready for business. He goes
into an office where everything is system,
order, precision. He is expected to keep
things neat and orderly, sometimes kindle
fires, file letters, do errands--in short be-
come part Of the nicely regulated ma
chine, where everything moves in syste-
matte grooves, and each one is response
Bile for correctness in his department, and
where, in place of ministers to his com.
fort, he finds taskmasters, more or less
lenient to be sure, and every thing in
marked contrast to his previous life.
In many instances the change is toe
great. Errors become numerous; blum
ders overlooked at first, get to be mat
ter OF serious moment; then patience i
overtasked and the boy is told his service
are no longer wanted. This is his frs
blow, and sometimes he never rallies from
it Then comes the surprise to the par
ents, who too often never know the rca
cause, nor where they have failed in tn
training Of their children.
, What is wanted is, for every boy t
have some duty at definite hour, and
learn to watch for that time to come; t
be answerable for certain portion of tn
: routine of the household; to be trained t
S anticipate the time when he may ente
the ranks Of business, and be fortifie
S with habits Of energy, accuracy, and al
plication, often Of more importance tina
h superficial book learning.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
The Society of Women
(Thackeray.)

One OF the great benefits young man
NAV derive from wonen's society is that
he is bound to be respectful to them. The
habit is of great good to young moral
men, depend upon it. Our education
makes of us the most eminently selfish
men in the world We fight for ourselves
we cut the best slices out of the joint at
the club dinners for ourselves; we yawn
for ourselves and light our pipes, and we
say we won't go out; we prefer ourselves
and our ease and the greatest good that
comes to man from woman's society is
that he has to think of somebody besides
himself-somebody to whom he is bound
to be constantly attentive and respectful.
don't want my dear Bob to associate
with those of the other sex whom he does
not and can not respect; that is worse than
billiards. worse than smoking seliishly al
home, but vow l would rather see you
turning over the leaves Of Miss Middle
comk's music book all night than at bill
liards, or smoking, or brandy and water
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Have YOU ever reflected upon the very
many funny things we do, for which we
can give no particular reason? How is
it that we do not give five cheers, four
cheers, two cheers, one cheer? Why is
it that we give three cheers and no more?
Who can tell'
Why is it that the majority of people
use their right hand in preference to their
left, and cannot help smiling at those who
use the latter:
Why is it that man cannot see bun
die OF toothpicks without helping himself
when he does not need them at all.
Why is it that small boy cannot let
the wasted wasp fly in peace, with
out furiously going for it with his new
straw hat; or why is it that the small girl
always insists upon Juggling home kit.
ten that has not even learned how to
open its eyes?
Why is it that when any one asks us
how many days there are in certain
month, we always say over to ourselves;
Thirty days has September,
April Iune and November?
Why is it that we turn to the right in
stead of the left, when the left is lar more
preferable, and if adopted would save
many an accident on railroad and high
way? The driver always sits upon the
right of his vehicle; in turning to the
right he is farthest away from the wagon
he passes, and unless he is an expert can
not tell how close he comes to the wheel'
of the man who goes by him, whereas
if he turned to the left side he could lool
straight down, see to the fraction ol ar
inch how close he was approaching an OBJ
stacle, and thus avoid it. The enginee
runs upon the right-hand track, and sit
upon the right-hand side of his cab. Ih
long, narrow locomotive, with its san'
tower, beliry and smoke-stack is in iron
of him, cutting off his outlook and i'm
peding his observation. He can view on
ly his own track, while the opposite track
save at distance, is almost wholly un
seen BY him. ION some railroads the re
verse is the custom)
Custom, owing to causes we know nc
,,s. 1s has established these curious nrecee
ents and from observation and educatio
we unwittingly do thousands OF thing
that are, to say the least, funny, and tn;
| we cannot possibly explain.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
AN ANCIENT WALL.
A Curious Discovery Made ia virgi


A correspondent writing from Rich
mond, Va, describes wall of curious
construction and doubtful history, an-
tedating, it may be, the Indian mounds
and Oldest traces of man on this cont.
nent. 1t is in Halifax County, on the line
of the Richmond II Danyille Railroad,
and is 81 feet 10 inches long, IS feet high
IS inches thick at the top and ~ feet at
the bottom. 1t runs northeast and south
west, and is situated at the lower end OF
slight elevation, which ascends gradually.
The position of the wall, and all its en-
vironments, precludes the idea that it
could have been buried under the accum-
uation Of sands conveyed by the rains
above. The stones of which the wall is
composed are common white, fiinty
quartz. They are irregular shaped, but
fiat and smooth as if designed for the Or
binary purposes of masonry. The ce.
ment or clay when first exposed to the
air is of the consistency of putty, but
soon indurates to degree that it may
readily be cut in any shape with pocket
knife. 1t has no obvious affinity with the
soil which lately enclosed the wall and
nothing similar in character can be found
in radius of miles. 1t is imbedded in a
micaceous sandstone, requiring both grub
hoe and pick to extricate it. The stones
are adjusted with the accuracy Of square
and plumb.
Now, as to the history of this unearthed
wonder: Fifty or sixty years ago, when
the land was covered with forest, and was
being surveyed, the surveyor observed
such DETECTION in the needle Of his
compass as indicated the presence of
metal. 1t was thought that gold bearing
quartz was near An excavation was
made, but no gold being found in the
rock, further search was not prosecuted
Prof. Campbell, Of Lexington, has not
seen the wall, but from the account Of II
which he has read thinks it is one of the
geological dikes common in some places
and not the work of man. But on the
other hand, gentleman OF great intelli.
gence, including some geological acquire.
ments, who has made thorough exam
ination of the wall, says, "The coup d'9il
as we'll as an examination of the compo
nent parts, proves beyond peradventure a
wall made with human hands, and Of
great antiquity"
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
DEATH.
Communication in Indianapolis Herald)

Communication in indianapolis Herald)
Death! A certain something in the
utterance of the word alone is quite
enough to stir the placid surface Of the
calmest mind with eddyings of dread, and
thrill and chill it to its midmost depths
/ has stned sound, and breathes heavi
ly even in the sleep of thought The hes
itating tongue hangs over it in fear, and
shudders as it wakens the asthnatic
thing. And there's thick unwholesome
something in its breath that pals the lip,
and scums the very hearing as we speak.
There is no music In it,no hint Of melody,
no pulse of warmth. 1t is grasp that,
always dying never dies. There is but
one word dares to rhyme with it, and that
is tainted for alltime. Then, shrinking
as we do from the bare name, it is little
wonder that we stand shivering and
aghast before the dread reality--or, rather,
the inscrutibe and awful mystery of death
itself And yet, why should we shudder?
1t is plain that death was never meant
for our poor comprehension, and knowing
this, why are we not content to accept it
on the same mild terms that we accept
exstence?-an equal mystery, bestowed
upon US by the same wise hand.
1t may be argued, as it has been, time
out of mind, that existence is given to us
when we have no choice but to accept; SO
death is given in the selfsame way, and
both are proofs sufficient that either alive
or dead we are in the sure control and
keeping of higher than an earthly pow
er, and is not that assurance sweet enough
to lull us gently as mothers voice into
the sleep Of death.
It is not the physical pain Of the expir.
ing struggle that we fear. That of itself
involves no greater agony than we en-
dure with an aching tooth. 1t is not the
mental agony we see painted on the faces
OF our Kindred by the tears of love in it
! last interview with lite that makes vi
t shudder and draw back from the darl
profound into which we are about 10 sink
1t is neither the ache of disease nor thu
;, anguish of parting between which ther'
: is scarce pang's width of difference
: that we strive against; but tits simply
and in shame we must admit it, it is tn
It dread we have of never opening our eye
! again; as though the power above "
n might forget to call us if our poor service
s were needed any more. .......
It Suppose we are left sleeping on throug
all eternity? Is that not better than tn
half of us deserve? Is that not even be-
ter than to waken on future that in
..r ho,,dlaee ,oercy would through a
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
sCIssORED sCINTILLATIONs.

A felon on the hand is worse than two
in the penitentiary.-lB Boston Globe.
An ancient way of rocking man to
sleep was stoning him to death.-[N. o.
Picayune.
A tack points heavenward when it
means the most mischief; it has many hui
man imitators.
If the planets ever have to give each
other lift, how much will the sun rays?
IN. Y. News.
The postage stamp, says the New Or
leans Picayune, knows its place after it
has been licked once.
A Delaware editor says the fellow who
wants to know what will bring out the
hair should get married.
A country blacksmith out West put up
notice: mo hosses shodded Sunday
except sickness and death"
"An' why is an Irishman like ship'"
asked Mike. "Bedad, it's because aich
one of EN- is followed by wake"
"There is no place like Chicago" says
Chicago paper. That is So and deuced
lucky thing it is, too Buffalo Express.
a farmer on the shores of Lake Ontario
has had nine acres washed away in twen-
ty years. He is evidently losing ground.
IN. Y, Herald.
The world is made up of two kinds of
people-those who work and those who
spend all their time in getting read to
work. Boston Transcript.
An axiom in the philosophy of the
Young lady whose dresses are little too
thin: "There is no effect without gauze."
Il Hackensack Republican.
A good name is rather 10 be chosen
than great riches, as the book keeper re-
marked when'he adopted his employers
autograph Boston Transcript.
"One can overcome any bad habit If he
choose" says an old moral law. We'd
like to see any one overcome the bad hab-
it of tobacco chewing if he chews.-[ Ex
When boy sees nice, round, smooth
stone lying on the ground, he always
thinks il rather mean that there isn't a
yellow dog in the vicinity Uncle Sam.
William Augustus, to sleepy room
mate: "Come, John Henry, why don't
YOU get up with the lark, as | do'" John
Henry, grilnly: "Been up with him all
night"
ait is very we'll" said henpecked hus-
band, when told to look after the children
"It's all very we'll TO tell me to mind the
Youngsters, but it would suit me better if
the youngsters would mind me-"
Circumstances alter cases. The man
who is on the train thinks it tarries too
long at every station; not so the one who
is half block away and coming rapidly
towards it when the whistle toots.- Puck
A wife, having lost her husband, was
inconsolable for his death. "Lcave me tc
my grief" she cried sobbing; 'you know
the extreme sensibility of my nerves; a
mere nothing upsets them Detroit
Free Press,
"Tell me-" exclaims DR.. Mary Walker
"how would Venus have looked if she hat
worn corsets," Dear Mary, if she hac
worn nothing else she would have looked
ridiculous, Especially at an evening par
ty,--L burlington Hawkeye.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
singular veriication of a Dream.

1.-TWO young men, residents of Noss
ridgewock," says the Fairfield (Me)
Chronicle, "met one morning, and one Of
them said, Charles, I dreamed last night
that you we're judge Of the supreme
court of Maine, that was minister and
that you called on me to open your court
with prayer Just 80 years after this
Rev. DR.. Charles T. Allen, late president
of the State College, happened to step
into the supreme court room in Augusta.
Judge Charles Danforth beckoned to him
and asked him to open his court with
PRAYER, and behold, the dream of 80 years
was verified. Rev. DR.. Allen is now pas
tor Of the Methodist church at Fairfield"
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

'Sdn you tell me WhetneT MT. f1dfnl-
tons carriage has been at the station to-
day%
"Yes'm-no'm-Id don't know-there it
are coming now" was the slightly inco.
herent answer.
Turning in the direction of his extended
finger she saw handsome carriage roll
ing rapidly up,
alt is Just coming she announced to
Mabel whose eyes had already informed
her of that.
They waited upon that dreary platform
until it drove up and the driver dismount-
ed
Then he came up the steps and ad-
dressed Mrs. Glennor, touching his hat
respectfully.
Ladies for Mr. Hamilton's madam"
ayes. Come Mabel"
"The carriage is ready, ladies. The
cart is here, ready to take your baggage
over Will l take your tickets?"
Mrs. Glennor gave him the tickets for
their trunks, and the ready coachman soon
had them piled in the light cart which had
followed the carriage.
"Now, we are ready" declared Mrs.
Glennor. But the coachman seemed to
be looking for some one else.
"Our young Henrietta went up to town
yesterday. We expect her back by this
train"
"Here l am SAM" called a familiar
voice from the door of the ladies' room,
and the homely young woman in plain
linen, who had shared Mabel's seat, came
out of her retreat inside and approached
them.
"My goodnessp was Mrs. Glennors S
dismayed ejaculation, as she flushed up 10
the roots OF her hair.
But Mabel sprang forward with extend,
ed hand.
"What, are you Henrietta Hamilton |
am SO glad"
"And YOU are Miss Glennor. am glad
too" said the young lady, offering her
hand most cordially ~ would have made
myself known in the train, but | am al
ways too shy with strangers, and was
not sure who you were till now. Mrs
Glennor, am very glad to welcome you
to Hamilton, love your daughter already
and am sure we shall have delightful
visit Let us go now; Sam is waiting"
This prompt courtesy, so delicately ig
noring her own rude behavior in the
train, was a greater rebuke to Mrs. Glen
nor than any show Of anger could have
been.
For once her ready tongue was at {
loss, and she only followed her young
hostess 10 the carriage, silently with
flushed face.
But Henrietta's kindly spirit soon pu
her at her ease, except when she remem
bered her mortifying blcnder
1t was wholesome lesson, however
and the next time Mrs. Glennor meets
lady in the train, whether she is robed lik,
queen or in plain linen, she will trea
her as such, and never Judge by appear
ances,
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23
An Absent-Minded Mother.

The other afternoon lady called at a
jewelrv store in Portland, and before en-
tering she left her baby in its carriage at
the door. Having finished her purchase
she went home. The jeweler finally was
attracted by the child's crying and took 1t
into the store and amused it with some
trinkets until the mother missed the badly
and returned.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Florence, the actor, recently remarked
to restaurant owner in San Francisco,
as they were looking at big, old-fash-
ioned pie: "My friend, the works look
very nice, but don't like the heavy doub-
le cases."
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

An art critic, describing recent coilec-
ton OF brio .brac, says: "The visitor s.
eye will be struck on entering the room
with porcelain umbrella'"-lDetr0it
Free Press
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Iowa raises more hogs corn, cattle and
mules than any other State in tn eUnion
in proportion to her age and the amount OF
land tivated.-[Davenport Gazette.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

The English Factories act requires that
no woman shall be employed continuous
ly for more than four hours and half
After working that length of time she
must have a rest.-[N. \. Post.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

1t is with wit as with razors, which are
never SO apt to cut those they are en-
ployed on, as when they have lost their
,dpe --'"'
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

sell, James A. Armstrong, w. A. Corder-
man, Washington Porter, Thomas Morgan;
]. H. Dinkelman. Delegates to Central
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Here and There Among the Clncinnau
Hives Of Industry.
The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-23

Miss Anna Louise Cary can cook as
we'll as she can sing.