davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
Tho IsnttlcSnnke,

1t has been observed by some natur-
alists that If we withhold water from
snakes when about to shed their epidcr-
mis-, they are thereby prevented from
divcsting themselves entirely Of the old
skin. | always kept a small bird, 8
once day, In the case containing my
crCtalus. The first skin he cast of, in
July, was entire and without Il blcm-
ish. AT the second change, however,
about the last Of September, | removed
the cup one night, intending to replace
1t shortly afterwards, but forgot to do
SO. The next morning l found por-
tons of loose skin all over the floor of
the case, and much more hanging in
shrcds from various parts Of the body
Of the snake. Other parts seemed not
to be detached yet. had not sup
posed that the ophidian was quite ready
for change. lie was over two months
in divcsting himself Of his torn trousers
Was 1t due to the fact that water had
been withheld ut the last timer Both
changes occurred In the night, and l
failed to observe the interesting pro-
cess ofdivestment. TO test the uues-
tion Of so-callcd blindness occurring
during the time when the pupil is cov-
cred by Il whitish film or thin men,
branc becoming detached, and occlud-
ing The sight of the eye, placed some
very active mice repeatedly in the case
during the period of change of cpidcr-
mis-. The ophician attacked the mice
in quick turn, without even missing
his first victim. On other occasious,
however, when his sight was unob-
structed, hav: seen him strike at an,l
miss the mark repeatedly. After max
ing few misses hc would then strike
about with intensified fury. The snake
never without first striking his victim
lie did not eat more than two mice ut a
meal, and sometimes an hour lapscd be-
fore eating the second one lie never
killed his prey wantonly; on the con-
trary he permitted mice to keep his
company while his appetite was ap-
pcased.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
VOL. III.-NO. 1OS.
Personal Equations

Fast Horses and Personal Equations
We hear much nowadays about the
extraordinary speed shown by this or
that horse at some race meeting. These
time tests arc regarded as much q part
Of the record rs the winning Of the race
itself. But while the general public
may be satisfied with announced results
some of us would like to know more
about the contest than is told in the
brief statement that "Rarus trotted
mile here to-day in 2 49," or whatever
it may be. 1t has become so that frac-
ton OF second makes a great differ
cncc in the record rs well us well us in
the value Of Il horse; and yet 1t seldom
happens that two men in the limbers'
stand agree as to the exact time made.
While 1t Is true that in the we'll regu-
lated mind of man, the will possesses
supreme direction over the whole cur
rent Of thought. policy and action, can
1t be said with positivcness that he who
occupies the postson of a timing judge
on race course has well-regulated
| mind? Sensation and perception are
| the two things most intimately con-
ncctcd with the proper timing of fast
horses. The horse speeds around the
course, ho approaches "the wire," and
amid great excitement, passes under IT.
The timer, who may or may not be i'm
bued with this same excitement, or
who may have an active or an inactive
| brain, sees the horse and becomes con-
scious Of the fact, but he is not done
yet. There has to 60 back from the
brain, SO to speak, an electric spark
along the nerves, which produces
contraction of the muscles OF the arm,
and a motion Of the thumb aud finger
follows. These press the spring, and
the hands OF the watch are stopped.
But the activity with which all this Is
| accomplished differs in men materially.
at best, the nerves transmit their share
| III the work ut the rate Of only seventy
feet a second, which Is less than double
the rate Of speed ut which the horse is
| moving In the same period Of time.
There exists a phenomenon called"per-
sonal cquation," and 80 long as quick
wittcd persons and slow-witted persons
are to decide the speed at which race
horses travel, just so long will the time
test be an irresponsible one. In making
the common observation Of the exact
moment when Il star travels across the
fine vertical wire intersccting the field
OF view Of telescope some astronomers
always anticipate the event, and othcrs
allow 1t to pass before they succeed In
noting it. This is by no means tho ef-
feet of lnexpericncc or maladroitness,
but Is Il persistent characteristic Of each
individual, however practiccd in the
art OF making observations he may be.
The difference between the time Of Il
mans noticing the event and that of
its actual Occurl ence Is called his per-
sonal equation, and Is carefully usccr-
tained lor every assistant In every lab
oratory. The adoption Of similar
plan on our race courses can alone give
us the correct time made by fast
| horses,
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
Adventure With q Snake,

Robert G. Pillow, son Of the late
ex-Confederatc General Pillow, lives
on an Arkansas plantation. across the
river from Memphis. A few days ago,
accompanied by Aleck, one of the col
orcd men on the place, he was out hunt
ing a wild hog that had been seen in
the vicinity. Pillow had a gun and
Aleck had armed himself with pint
bottle filled with whiskey. The hog
was found and shot, and just as Pillow
went up to the writhlng animal an i'm
mense "cotton-mouth'' snake, whose
bite Is fatal as that of a rattlesnake, ftas-
toned It's fangs on the calf of his leg.
Pillow is not easily frightened. He
took In the situation in moment, and
Instead Of exhibiting alarm he turned
to his companion and quietly remark :
"Aleck, think I'll try little Of that
whiskey now," whiskay being consid-
cred an infallible remedy. He poured
every drop down his throat without
stopping to venture any remarks as to
Its quality. Then shoulderlng his gun
he rapidly walked to the house, a half
milo distant, where he drank the con-
tents of three ordinary glass tumblers
filled with whiskey. He was soon in
what he callsa "Niagara Falls of per.
spiratlon," which rapidly expelled the
poison and saved his life. For a day or
two after he says that he was tho sick-
est man in all Arkansas.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
Bee knnchIng In California.

This Is famous country for bees and
the making Of honey, and at many n
breakfast table in distant Europe to-day
the waffle is sprcadwitll sweets that have
been filchcd from the hearts of thou
sand California flowers. In the mouth
OF almost every canon there is bee
ranch or apiary, whose owner grows
indolentand prosperous from the labors
Of his industrious subjects. Here there
are no long winters with dcarth of
lowcrs, through which the patient
workers must be nurscd and fed In
order that they may live until the OPEN
ing Of the next field season. These
bee-ranchcs are models OF neatness and
domestic comfort. and the profession
OF bookkeeping Is rapidly becoming
| popular among persons Of little physi-
cal strength or small financial capital,
or both; such as maiden ladies, broken
down ministers, bachelor students, and
those dilettantc farmers who fancy that
the royal road to bucolic happiness lies
through the ilowery beds Of a bec-pas-
ture. Their expenses are as light as
those of Il hermit in his cage, and what
stores of honey are laid up arc so much
clear gain, as the bees board themselves
while they work, and work INCREASINGLY
In preparation for the winter which
never comes. When the hive is full
the cakes Of comb are removed, the
liquid Is strained from the cells, and
the empty cups arc replaced to be filled
again and again. This economical pro-
cess prevents a waste Of labor and time
in the gathering Of wax and the build
ing Of new bins in the store house.
walking out in the morning in the
green brushwood Of these canons you
hear loud and continuous buzzing of
wings, and, although there may not be
flower in sight, it Is rs ccasclcss and
strong as III abuckwheat patch or clover
field at home. This humming of bees
is natures tenor voice, as the roaring
of water is her bass. There is q cure
for homesickness in the bees mono-
tone, even though the authors thereof
be perfectly wild, as, indeed, many of
these are. In such country you can
not feel utterly lonesome and lost.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09

Gus victim is completely put of his
guard by curiosity and familiarity.
During this time, the gang, squattcd on
their headquarters, look on at Il dis
tance. After some time spent in this
way, the two assailants separate, when
one approaches the horses head, and
the other his tail, with Il shyness and
cunning peculiar to themselves. At
this stage of the attack their froicsomc
approaches become very intcresting-it
is right good earnest; the former Is Il
mere dccoy. the latter is the real assail-
ant, and keeps his eye steadily fixed on
the hamstring or flank of the horse.
The critical momement is then watched,
and the attack is simultaneous; both
wolves spring ut their victim the same
monochrome to the throat and the
other to the 1lank-and If successful,
which they generally are, the hind one
never lets go his hold till the horse is
completely disabled. Instead of spring.
ing forward or kicking to disengagc
himself, the horse turns round and
round without attempting II defense.
ihc ""lt ueioIc tNen springs DcH'nd 10
assist the other. The sinewS arc cut,
and in half the time have been des-
criblng 1t the horse is on his side; his
struggles are fruitless-the victory is
won. At this signal the lookers-on
close in gallop; but the small fry Of
followers keep at" respectful distance
until their superiors arc gorgcd, and
then they take their turn unmolcstcd.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
TOO Polite for HOnrdera.

The dull beaches OF this sandy coast
have been considerably stirred over an
event that Will be heard around the
world. You know what Narragsnsrt
is--at least you know what It has been,
for the ploce, believe Is yours by dis
covery. | would not like to say how
many years ago you and Doctor CANA
ucl Bailey and his lovely family found
by mere accident, that opposite New
port was beach quite as favorable to
bathing, and adjoining it was ono hotel
and one boarding house. The one was
Whalley's, lincal descendant of Whal-
ley; the other a crude little place, half
tavern and half boarding house, filled
with people from Philadelphia. In
those days ono left the railroad at
Kingston, and wended his weary way
to tho Pier by an old fashioned coach.
At the Pier there was one horse,
known rs Old Smooth Tooth, that could
be hired at dollar day, with a
vehicle thrown In, that impressed ono
with the belief that 1t had been Noah's
family carriage, and had yet clinging
to its wheels, some of the mud left
from the flood. Primitive days and
primitive people. 1 remember the
Taylor people took on airs and pre-
tended to look down on the Whalley's.
They were poor snobs, whose pocket
books would not permit life at New
port, 80 they aped Newport at Taylor's
A good story was told of General
Schenck anent this tavern. He was
out bathing one day, when he encoun
tered couple Of females splashing In
the breakers, and very courteously Of
fered his services to them. After a
lively time the General escorted his
damsels to the bathing houses, and
coming out himself was met by a grin
ming friend. 81 say, Schenck, we have
enjoyed a laugh at your EXPENSE" lie
cried. GLOW SOP" responded the grim
M. G. "Why don't you know you have
been bathing two oi Taylor's servant
girls?" "Well, responded s., 81
thought they were too polite for board
ers."
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
The Century Plant.

The American aloe, or century plant
ii rarely fine specimen Of which Is now
growing in Brooklyn, and about to
flower, seldom reaches that perfection
which results in flowers, In temperate
climates. Its growth here is so slow
that its popular name is derived from
the belief that Il full term of 100 years
is required before the blossoms appear
But in It's native soil, in tropical and
scmi-tropical climes, extending to the
thirty-sccOnd parallel on either side of
the equator, it comes to perfection in
much less time; often in twenty or
thirty years. Tie same plant never
blooms more than once. When the
time comes the flower stalk shoots up
with great rapidity from the centre Of
the crown, around which the leaves
radiatc, growing often fifteen or eigh-
teen inches Il day, until height of
thirty and sometimes, In an exception
ally vigorous plant, of forty feet is
reached. The arms of this stalk. like
those Of branching candlcstick, bear
the cup-shapcd flowers, which have no
remarkable beauty. The aloe belongs
to the agave family of the order of
Amaryllidaccm. The leaves are thick
at the base and terminate in sharp
point. 1t is one Of the most useful
plants found in Mexico and Central
America. From the flbrcs Of the leaves
a thread is obtained which can be wo-
ven into cloth and twisted into ropes, ,
and these leaves make a substantial
thatch roof. a part of the stalk is used
for food, and the hard pithy centre at
the base forms good MILESTONE, rs
silica enters largely into its composition,
while the fcrmcnted sap Of the aloe, or
maguey, as it is called, is an intoxicat-
ing beverage known as pulque, which
is largely consumed by the natives.
Large specimens Of tho century plant
are valued highly by florists here, and
as much rs several hundred dollars is
not uncommonly paid for fine one.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
Two Little Shoes.

Charley Bunncll was running mes
senger on the j. NJ. and 1. II. II. and
tells this story: "Bluff old Jack Mills,
rough, but kind hearted, was the en-
ginecr. About mile and half this
side OF Columbus there is fine stretch
of road, and Jack had pulled her wide
open" to make up lost time, and the
old engine and train were rocking
along at rate Of about thirty miles al
hour. A country road runs parallel
with tho track here for some dlstan CO,
and finally crosses 1t. But short dis
tance, and finally crosses it. But a
short distance from the crossing, on the
day referred to, there was suddenly
discovered man, evidently half drunk
In two horse country wagon, and in
1t was his wife with him. The man
was standing up driving like mad, but
the train was 80 close upon him that no
one dreamed Of his attempting to cross,
but making a sudden turn to the left,
he endeavored to cross the railroad
track. BY the time the wagon was
fairly on the track, the locomotive
struck 1t, smashed the wagon to splin-
tors, killed the horses, and manglcd to
death the man and woman. The train
ran some distance before 1t could be
stopped, and when it was finally
checked Bunnell went forward and
found Engineer Jack Mills, swearing
like a trooper, his engine all unused, >
and he was damning tho drunken fool
in the wagon tor his criminal careless
ness which brought on the accident.
Jack was hot. AS he turned 60 get on
his engine to reverse her and return to
the scene Of tho accident, his eyes
caught slight of a tiny pair Of baby's
shoes, which had been among other OF
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
~ Strangers Noso.

Some OF those chaps who wear their
elbows down thin leaning on saloon
counters have all artificial fly with n
fine thread attached to the back, and
sometimes these toys can be handled to
the amusement of II small crowd. When
an unknown man fell asleep in saloon
the young man with an artificial fly was
there. He took position behind his
victim, who was lying back on hi,
chair, aud presently the fly alighted on
the strangers nose, walked up the
bridge and down, and settled for mo-
mcnt OH the tip end. The sleeper nev-
CT moved finger. The fly went over
the old route, dove into the corner of
the LETT eye, galloped over to the right,
and came down to the grand stand on
the dead run, but the sleeper slept on.
1t began to appear that he was used TO
| flies, and so the game was changed. BY
sticking pin through one Of these
tops you can make quite bee of it, the
pin being the stingcr.
When the "bce" descended on the
strangers nose everybody expected to
| see sudden start, but It did not come.
After jab at the tip end the "bce''
crawlcd along up, waiting tor develop
mcnts, and getting In an occasional
sting, but not even sigh escaped the
sleeper. The young man with the i'll
sect was getting tired, when the stran-
ger lazily opened his eyes, slowly rose
up from his chair, and coolly remarked /:
"Now, then, If you have got through
fooling with my nose, l'll fool with
yours for awhilel"
1t isn't likely that particular young
man will ever dangle artificial flies any
more. lie was doubled up, straightcn-
ed out, choked, moppcd and slammed
so thoroughly that his appetite will run
to chicken broth and arnica for some
| days to come. When the cyclone had
passed the stranger called for gin,
drank 1T, and said to the white-faced
crowd OH the bench:
"Gentlcmen, 1t any more of you see
anything peculiar about my nose, please
call around and let me know!'
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
THE HOUSE OF CLAY.
Thore was q house Of CLAY,

Thore was house Of clay,
Wherein tho inmate sat all day,
Merry and poor;
For Hopo sat with her, heart to heart,
Fond and knl,
Vowing he never would depart
Till all at once he changed his mind:
"sweethoart, good by !" He skipped away
And shut the door.
But Love came past, and looking Ia,
With smilo that pierced like sunbeam thin
Through wall, roof floor,
Stood in the midst Of that poor room,
Grand and fair,
Making glory ont of gloom
Till at tho window mocked grim Care;
Love sighed: '.All lose, and nothing win p
He shut the door.
Then o'or tho oloso- barred house Of olay
Kind clematis and woodb;no gay
Crcpt moro and moro;
And boes hummod merrily outside,
Loud and strong,
The inner silentness to hide,
The patient silence all day long;
Till evening touched with finger gray
The bolted door.
Most like the next steps passing by
Will be tho Angels. whose calm eye
Marks rioh, marks poor;
Who, fearing not, at any gate
Stands and calls;
At which the inmate opens straight
Whom, Gro tho crumbl ng clay house falls,
Ho takes in kind arms silently,
And shuts the door.
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
The Cunning Wolves.

1t Is said, traveller in Germany
writes, that whenever several Of the
larger wolves associate together for
mischief, IN the German forests and
their neighberhood, there is always a
numerous train of smaller ones to fol-
low In the rear, and act as auxiliaries
in the work Of destruction. Two large
wolves are sufficient to destroy the
most powerful horse, and seldom more
than two ever begin the assault, al
though there may be score in the
gang. 1t Is no less curious than anus
ing to witness this ingenious mode of
attack. If there is no snow, or but lit
tle on the ground, two wolves approach
In the most playful and caressing man
ner, lying, rolling and frisking about,
until the too credulous and unsuspici-
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09

the purchases of the man in tho wagon
and knocked out. They had fallen Oh
the boiler of tho locomotive, and there
they rested rs gently as II dove sitting
in II cannon's mouth. A flood of recol-
lcctions of the little ones at home
Watching and waiting for their parents
who would never comc--thoughts, ii
may be, of the little feet at home-was
too much for the true and tender heart
of the rough and hardy engineer, and
he leaned OIL Charlie Bunncll's shoul:
der and sobbed aloud. Just look at
them little shoes, Charlie,' he said, be-
tween his tears, I-l-didn't mind so
much running over that drunken fool
who tried TO cross ahead Of us when he
couldn't, but the little one, Charlie, the
little kid that's waitin' for 'em, that's
too rough!'
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
LonRth OF the DAYS,

At London, England, and Bremen, Prus-
sia, the longest day has sixteen and half
hours. AT Stockholm, Sweden, the longest
day hos eighteen and half hours. AT
Hamburg, Germany, and Dantzlc, Prussia,
the longest day has nineteen hours and tho
shortest five hours At Borneo, Finland,
tho longest day has twenty-one and a half,
and the shortest two and a half. AT Wardhuy
in Norway, the day lasts from the 21st Of
May to the 28d of July, without inter-
ruption; and at Spltzbergen the longest day
Is three months and a half. At New York,
tho longest day, June 18, has fourteen hours
and fifty-six minutes; at Montreal fifteen
and a half hours. But the longest day of
all, though one never seen by q civilized
person, is that at the poles, where It lasts
for six months, and Is succeeded by q night
equally as long, s,s7t:S
The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-10-09
Cutting (tlnss With Scissors.

Many persons may Dot be aware that
glass can be cut under water with great
ease to almost any shape by simply
using pair Of shears or strong scissors.
In order to insure success two points
must be attended to. First ard most
important, the glass must be kept quite
level In the water while the scissors are
applied, and, secondly, to avoid risk
it IS better to begin the cutting by
taking off small pieces ut the corners
and along the edges, and so reduce the
shape gradually to that required, as If
any attempt Is made to cut the glass all
at once to the shape rs we could cut a
piece of card board, It, will most likely
break where 1t Is not wan cd Some
kinds of glass cut much better than
others, the softer glasses being the best
for this purpose. The scissors need
not be at all sharp, as their action does
not appear to depend on the state of the
edges presented to the glass. When
the operation goes on we'll the glass
breaks away from the scissors in small
pieces In straight line with the blades
This method of cutting glass has often
bcen Of service when diamond has
not becn at hand for cutting ovals and
scgmcnts, and though the edges arc not
80 smooth as might be desired for some
purposes, yet 1t Will answer III a great
many cases. The hints given above, If
strictly followed, will always insure
success.