davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
A Baltimore Tragedy.

There has probably never been a tragedy enacted in Baltimore that has caused more widespread and deeper interest than the killing of Isaac D. James by Denwood B. Kinds, who, 1t is charged, betrayed and indirectly caused the death of Miss James, 8 beautiful girl of seventeen, and only daughter of the murdered man. fas~ sze
 The deathbed scene of the young girl was heartrending, and her appeals for her lover to come to her were narrowing in the extreme to her aged parents as they stood around her. She died, breathing with epithets of the fondest affection the name of the man whom she charged with her ruin. The public sympathy with the distressed family was very pronounced, and was displayed at the burial by the presence of large numbers of persons. The casket which contained the poor girls remains was almost concealed by the wealth of flow CTS sent by sympathizing friends. The distressing affair soon after dropped out of pubic sight, however, and young James resumed his position at whole sale house where he was employed as clerk. Mir. James, Sr.. however, never recovered from the shock caused by the death of his child under such circum-
 stances, and told number of his friends that if he met Kinds he would kill him.
 He did meet Kinds shortly after, and shot at him, but Kinds drew @ revolver
 and shot and killed James.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
A Boys, Circus.

A local correspondent of the Gam bridge (Mass.) Tribune writes GA few days ago heard my Swear old boy off, fering to his schoolmates tickets to circus. On inquiry I found the per formance was to take place at my stable. On looking at the tickets prepared for the occasion, discovered that the child had been tearing up some elegant col ored note paper my wife kept for her fastidious correspondents, and on each rude. slip was written in 8 coarse hand, Admit the barer.' The price charged for the tickets was six pins. heard afterward that one big boy, conscious of his power, offered some old bent pins, and when they were refused threatened to visit the show and break it up. I do not propose to give an account of the entertainment, where there were six per formers and three spectators merely wish to state the results of the affair. l heard that the affair broke up in gen. eral row, in which some boards which had just been planed for shelves in the house were broken up, two or three panes of glass smashed in the windows and considerable damage done to things generally in the stable. The darling boy bad carried out into the stable nict sheet to divide off the ''green room, and in the excitement at the close of tn moral show some one accidentally SC fire to it. The fire was easily extin guished with two or three dippers o water, but one of the larger boys wa frightened and gave the alarm, whicl soon drew two or three steaming engine in front of my premises. At night
 looked at the cherub with delight as h
 was sleeping beautifully and peacefully us only a calm conscience will allow on
 to do"
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
Southern Men in Washington.


 A Washington correspondent says :- Time was when Southern members kept house here and entertained handsomely. Now it is the exception to find one doing SO. Most of them live either at hotels or in lodgings. There are nine of those delightful messes formed by the Sena- tors from this or that State. The large fortunes and handsome houses now here were exceptions before the war; A mem- Der or Senator now with his paltry $5, 900 year can't keep up with a social pro- cession which requires from $15, ,O00 to ! $50, 900 year from it's rank and file. The result is the Southerner, poor and proud, won't assert himself. He cannot equal or return the sumptuous enter tainment of his wealthy Northern o1 Western brother so he goes out but little, dresses poorly, burrows in lodg. ings, and his pride keeps him from or. ganizing 8 society where modest house and entertainment, good company and congenial people shall stand in place ot a gorgeous establishment, fine equip ages and hunkeys in livery. Time wal when @ Senator was 8 tremendous socia factor, but now, unless he has private 1 fortune or is man of rank, birth an( culture, he sinks down to the level O the average member of Congress.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
A Lesson in Tactics.

General Hardee, whose manual of in- fantry tactics was in use in all the south ern armies, visited rural Georgia town one day during the war, and the com mander of " second-class militia company sought to do himself and the general honor by parading his command in front of the nm in which Hardee had rooms. The writer upon tactics came out upon the balcony to review the com mand, and the militia officer put his men through their paces. In one of the ma nmuvres the men became confused and got into hopeless tangle. Hardee, in telling the story, said that he could think of no possible way in which they might be extricated, and waited with great curiosity to see what the militia com mander would do. That rural tactician looked at the confused mass for mo- ment with a scowl of perplexity upon his forehead; then his face cleared, and he shouted the order:
 "Disentangle to the front march"
 Whereupon the men rushed forward and formed a new line without regard to the order of the old one. Hardee sai6 the command was not in his own or any other book on tactics, but that it ought tO be
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
Indian Babies.

Indian babies, as rule, are not kept in their cradles more than twenty-four consecutive hours at any one time they are usually unlimbered for an hour or two every day, and allowed to roll and tumble at will on the blanket, or in the grass or sand, if the sun shines warm and bright. But this liberty is always conditional upon their good behavior when free, for the moment baby begins to fret or whimper, the mother claps it back into it's cradle, where it rests, with emphasis, for it can there move nothing save it's head but so far from disliking these rigid couches, the babies actually sleep better in them than when free, and posi- lvely cry to be returned to them when neglected and left longer than usual at liberty. This fact is certainly an amusing instance of the force of habit.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
Deceptive Distances.

A story is told of two Englishmen who started from Denver, Col, for a walk to the mountains before breakfast, an apparently easy task, as the mountains did not appear more than mile or two away. After walking for an hour without seeming to have made any progress toward the desired goal, one of them became discouraged and con- cluded to return for his breakfast; after ward he took carriage and went in search of his friend, whom he found on the bank of 8 small ditch, engaged in removing his boots. His friend inquired what he intended to do? He replied, to wade the ditch. His friend said there was no necessity for that, as it was less than three feet across, and he could easily jump it. "You can't tell anything about it in this country" responded the other cit may be three hundred feet across for aught know" His morning walk proved to extend about fifteen miles before he reached the foothills.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
The Honey Bee.

iScribner for May has an interesting article on Bees, from which we quote The drones have the least enviable time of it. Their foothold in the hive is very precarious. They look like the giants, the lords of the swarm, but they are really the tools. Their loud, threaten ing hum has no sting to back it up, and more conspicuous marks for the birds. They are all candidates for the favo1s of the queen, a fatal felicity that is vouch- safed to but one. Fatal, I say, for it is 8 singular fact in the history of bees, that the fecundation of the queen costs the male his life. Yet day after day the ,drones go forth, threading the mazes of the air in hopes of meeting her whom to ameetis death. 1.-The queen only leaves the hive once, except when she leads away the swarm, and as she makes no appointment with the male, but wanders here and there, drones enough are pro- vided to meet all the contingencies of the cases One advantage, at least, re- suits from this system of things; there is no 1ncontinence among the males in this repubhci tsa 5s- ez +r E Toward the close of the season, say in July or August, the fiat goes forth that drones must die there isno further use for them. Then the poor creatures, how they are huddIed and hustled about, trying to hide in corners and by-ways !! There is no loud, defiant humming now, but abject fear seizes them. They cover like hunted criminals. I have seen dozen or more of them wedge themselves into small space between the glass and the comb, where the bees could not get hold of them, or where they seemed to beoverlooked in the general slaughter. They will also crawl outside and hide under the edges of the hive. But sooner or later they are all killed or kicked out. The drones make no resistance, except to pull back and try to get away; but, (putting yourself in his place. with one bee a-hold of your collar or the hair of your head, and another a-hold of each arm or leg, and still another feeling for your wristbands with his sting, the odds are greatly against you.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
Lost His Money.

Paris correspondent says A pain full incident took place in the office while I was sitting there. A tradesman came to pay 8, 900. After carefully counting the money as he laid it on the desk, he said "Now I may throw the waste paper in the fire." The waste paper was the wrapping in which he had brought the bank notes. Suiting the action to the words he tossed handful of paper into the fire. The notary counted the bills on the desk and said "The parcel lacks $500 of being 3,O0O." The notary counted again. The tradesman counted. He turned pale as death, fell into g chair, speechless and trembling. He had inadvertently thrown three bank notes of $1O0 each into the fire, He sohbed like child,
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
That Good Dog, Jack.

Some dogs, in their love and affection for their masters, have at times equaled human beings in their constancy, and even surpassed them in the marvellous intelligence with which they foresee and avert approaching danger. The follow ing example, related to us by one of the ladies of the story, may prove interest ing. Two girls, daughters of an English country doctor, were once out for walk together. It was an autumn afternoon, sunny and pleasant. They were accompanied by their little dog, named Jack, who was a clever little terrier, and more than once had proved his claim to be considered, as indeed he was, their protector while out walking. Their father often said he felt "quite happy when Jack was with them he was sure no harm could come to them" The two girls pursued their walk merrily. The fine afternoon tempted them to go further than they ought, however, and by the time they turned the dusk had fallen, and they were afraid they would be late for tea. One of them proposed to take short cut through wood with which they were well acquainted, having often gathered blackberries in it on summer afternoon. The other agreed, and so they arrived at the edge of the wood and prepared to enter it. "All the same am rather afraid, said Dora, the younger of the two; "there have been several robberies in the neighborhood, and I saw some very odd-looking men pass our door to-day; besides, am wearing my new watch which papa gave me on my birthday" "Oh, nonsense , her sister replied. "It is nearly six o'clock now; and we shall be late. Be sure no one will wish to harm us." CT wish were as certain as you are. But what's the matter with Jack ?" Just as she had said this, Jack advanced toward them, and planting himself in the middle of their path, sat down and whIned. "That is odd," said Dora "I never remember him doing that before." The other girl derided her fears, and at | oOAApoONt UO Po'oo OhO 0OS OuO hO SouSho her dress in his teeth, and held her so firmly that she hardly dared to set her self free. One more effort she made, but Jack was resolute; so at last, seeing how determined he was to prevent their further progress, she gave up trying. "Well, well, you stupid little brute p she said angrily, "I suppose we must go all that long way round." So the two sisters abandoned the idea of taking the short path through the wood, and went home by the safe high-road. When they arrived, how grateful, how un- uterably thankful did they feel to their little protector, whose intelligence had been so far superior to theirs, and had saved them despite themselves. A man had been found in the wood shortly after they had left it, murdered and robbed, it was coniectured by the tramps who had passed through the village in the morning. Thus Jack had preserved his mistresses from meeting perhaps a similar fate. Their gratitude, it is need. less to add, was profound toward their little four-footed protector, who, we are glad to hear, lived to good old ago. Ch011bers'S Journal
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23

acknowledge that he was recognized by the movement of a muscle. Staring -coldly at the Lieutenant he replied, s' Sir, you have the advantage I do not remember ever having seen you be- fore" -..-.--- .. IS s" Ohl yes you have, " answered the Lieutenant. "Charley, don't try to de- ceiver me. You brought me from the field at Fredericksburg, saved my life when you were @ member of my com- pany, and you deserted from the com psny."s s@'a7 sys ess-sSs713 . .-issa a
 "Youshaye made 8 mistake, sir, you have" He stopped moment and then continued: ss'It is no use. s9 I am Cor porala C-2A but I am no Adeserter at heart. I haveibeen in constant service,' 2 and he sank into chair ss'~ asE' Tears choked the inference of the Lieutenant as, wavering between duty and gratitude he said Corporal, I would gladly change places with you now, but you are a prisoner
 The shock unnerved the war-worn and weather beaten Corporal, and for several weeks he was prostrated with raging fever: A prisoner, in fact, but allowed to accept the hospitality of the Lieuten- ants more comfortable quarters, where, his story becoming known, he received every kindness that could be com- handed. Meantime strenuous. efforts were made to remove the charge of de- sertion against him, which had been carried on the Scompany's rolls until he was finally reported to the Provost Mar shal General and dropped from them.
 The cred tape 'of the War Depart ment prevented his reinstatement in time, and Corporal G. was sent to the front as "a deserter. :" Strong pa- pers relating the circumstances more infinitely than can be done in this mar rative accompanied him. He was tried and sentenced to be shot, but through the never teasing efforts of the officer whose life he had saved, seconded by the efforts of General Ingraham, then Provost Marshal of the defences north of the Potomac, he was reprieved by President Lincoln. Hewa subsequent Iy killed in charge upon, the enemy'a works at Petersburg, Va. The wife and little ones waited in vain for the second surprise at the, little Pennsylvania ham, letznear Gettysburg. s@@H&
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
His Early Home.

A man who is not ashamed of himself need not be ashamed of his early con- dition. It happened to me to be born in a log-cabin, raised among the snow-drifts of New. Hampshire at per1od so early that when the smoke first rose from it's rude chimney and curled over the frozen kill, there was no similar evidence of a white mans habitation between it and the settlements on the river of Canada. Its remains still exist. I make it an an nual visit. carry my children to it to teach them the hardships endured by the generations which have goue before them. l love to dwell on the tender recollection the kindred ties, the early affections and the narrations and incl. dents which mingle with all I know ot this primitive family abode. .-Daniei
 Wooster. @ E
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
The Last Witch.

It is generally stated that the last witch was burned in Europe in 1793, in Prussian Poland. But this has now be- come mistake. She was burned Feb. 26, 1879, in Vratshevo, in the Govern ment of Novgorod, Russia. Her name was Agrafena Ignatieva. She was a sol dier's widow, and seems early in life to have acquired fame for her skill in various secret arts. The name once ac- quired, she profted by it. Without working, she had plenty of good things, for the peasants of the neighborhood stood in great awe of her, and sent to her house the best of their harvests. But at last Nemesis overlook her. Fits of epilepsy became uncommonly fre- quent in that part of the country, and they were invariably attributed to Agra fena's evil eye. In the beginning they increased her reputation, but, finally, the fear of her grew into terror, and the instinct of self-defepse awakened. One day young girl, in fit of epilepsy, mentioned Agrafena's name, and 8 few hours later on the whole population of the county gathered around her hut, among them 8 Justice of the Peace and two members of the representative As sembly of the Government. There was short barley between Agrafena and the crowd. Then she was driven into the | house, the doors and windows were locked, the house was set on fire, ano while the unhappy woman cried
 screamed and prayed for her life, the crowd stood unmoved, looked on to tht last, and sang hymns in praise of th' Savior who had delivered them iron l Satan,
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
An Uncnt Diamond.

Presently the Western train came due, says Burdette in one of his railroad phantasies, and tired-looking W oman came in with two children hanging to her skirts and a baby in her arms, be- side band-box and @ satchel. It was the only seat vacant. She sank into it with weary sigh, and tried to hush the fretful baby and keep watch of the two other restless, huttering budgets, who were also tired and fretful, and kept teasing for this and that until the poor mother looked ready to sink.
 "Pretty tired, marm Y remarked Jonathan, tall Yankee, who was un- easy himself, and anxious for something to do. "Going fur?" ..- g.
 "To Boston, sir" replied the lady, courteously. L x.a.s..s
 ''Got to wait long 2'' <
 Until three" Balancing at mel. "Oh, dearies, do be quiet, and don't tease mother any more."
 ook-a-here, you young shavers, and see what I've got in my pocket" " and he drew out a handful of pepper mint drops. In few minutes they were both upon his knees, eating their candy and listening eagerly while he told them wonderful stories about the sheep and calves at home.
 But the baby wouldn't go to sleep. He was quite heavy, and wanted to be tossed the whole time. Jonathan mo- ticed this, and finding string some where in the depths of his old carpet bag, he taught the two children game which he called "Cat's Cradle" Soon they were seated on the depot floor, as happy as two kittens.
 "Now let me take that youngster, marm," he said, "you look clean beat out. I guess I can please him. I'm @ powerful hand with babies" and he tossed the great lump of flesh up until it crowed with delight. By and by it dropped it's head upon his shoulder and fell fast asleep.
 Two hours afterward peered through the window, as he helped her and her belongings aboard the cars, and don't believe if he had been the Czar of Rus. sia she could have looked any more grateful, or thanked him any sweeter.
 "'Tain't nothin' at all, marm," heard him say, bashfully, but knew she thought differently, and so did I.
 He came back, resumed his seat, and buying pint of peanuts from 8 thin faced little girl-giving twelve cents in. stead of ten for them-sat munchine away in hearty enjoyment until the Northern train came due. Then he snatched his dilapidated carpet-bag and that of an old lady's near by, who was struggling feebIy toward the door.
 "Lean right on me, marm TIT =so' you safe through" he said, cheerfully
 The conductor shouted "All aboard ]! and the train moved away.
 AS looked around at the empty seat' I thought, Something bright has gon, out of this depot that doesn't come il every day-an honest heart.'
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
SHEILA.

The King of Borva sits alone,' For Sheila has departed His bonuy bird has southward flown, And left him brokcn-hearted; No more he sees her dear blue eyes, . In his her soft hand lying, Tis not her voice that now replies, 'Tis but the breezes signing.
 "SheiIa, my own little daughter,
 My own where'er thou art!
 Oh! come across the water,
 To thy fathers lonely heart" And Sheila in the far-off town Sits cold and broken-hearted; Llfe's golden leaves are turning brown, She dreams of days departed. -.sH Her fathers heart, her rocky home, Oh! how they call and greet her, And he is there, beside tho foam, With arms outstre tched to meet her.
 '"Sheila, my own little daughter,
 My own where'er thou art! A Come back across the water,
 To thy fathcr'ss loving, heart"
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
GROWING OLD TOGETHER.
BY MARIE OLIVER.

Just on the outskirts of the town, , There stands a cottage painted brown; And in the time of summer bloom, .-s. The air is rich with sweet perfume, While heath low roofed and moss grown cave The tiny bird her wee nest weaves. On the worn doorstep where the sun
 Loves his bright happy race to run,
 Old Tabby sits and mods and blinks, And of her playful baby thinks; sz7 Of her who chases sunbeams OCT 2 Old Grandma Grey's white sanded floor. That furry, graceful, merry thing
 At play with scarlet ball and string,
 What can it know of grief or pain, D aOf joys which ne'er will come again? Thus Grandma as she plys her wheel,
 Thinks, e'er she winds another reel.
 Two years ago,-she marks it well
 As since she much of woe can tel, l,- s- A blue-eyed, simple-hearted maid
 Sat near old Tabby in the shade,
 And stroked her, while she warbled low Aloye-song of the long ago. $ But on one drear aurumnal day They made a grave for Dora Grey; Soon too, old Tabby's pride will go {. 2 To new home, new scenes to know;
 Then out to face life's win'try weather,
 Grandma and puss will go together.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23

Stand back now. and see Peru and Bolivia wade for China. There will be several hogs and chickens stolen. three or four cannon fired. and white-robed peace. will settle down upon three coun- fries full of Brigadier- Generals.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23

THE Soldiers Home, at Bath, N. r., now has oyer 300 inmates, 62 of whom are in the hospital,
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23
Connecticut Western News.
 PUBLIsHED AT ., CANAAN, llTCHFIELD COUNTY, CT. -2ss.s EVERY WEDNESDAY MORNING, -a =. D. HARDENBERGH, Editor and Prop'r. 's Local News a Speciality.
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 # not paid at the expiration of three months, -s S2.s will be charged. Subscribers desiring their papers discontinued must give notice at the EXPIRATION of their eSsuhscriptions, any previous notice not being sufficient; and unless all arrearages are paid, papers will not then be discontinued save at the option of the publisher.
Connecticut western news., 1879-04-23

acknowledge that he was recognized by the movement of a muscle. Staring coldly at the Lieutenant he replied, ]" Sir, you have the advantage do not remember ever having seen you be- foro