davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Huxley ON Snakes.

Yesterday evening the opening lecture
| at the London Institution Tor the season
was delivered by Prof. Huxley, f. IL. 3,
TO a very crowded audience, his sub)ect
being Snakes" than which, he said,
there were, in the gopular apprehension,
| few animals more symbolical OF degrada,,
ton and horror Quoting the primeval
curse in Genesis, he remarked that no
creatures seemed more easily destroyed
by man. and few less able TO defend
| themselves. Few wounds would be less
harmful than snakes bite, were II
nothing more than the sudden closing oil
the teeth. Yet there we're not many
animals gifted with so many faculties.
| II can stand up erect, climb as wen us
any ape, swim like a fish,. dart iorwalu'
and do all but fly in seizing iis prey.
The destructiveness of snakes 10 man aon
was illustrated by the fact that Zo'VVo
| human lives are yearly lost IN lndi py
their poison, and it might safely be s'nd
| that they are more deadly enemy 10
our race than any other beast oi lhe
field Prof Huxley spoke first oil the
three classes indigenous to our own cil'
mate-the ringed snake, the coroneiia
and the viper. OF these, the viper alone
was venemous, which the difference be-
tween its structure and that OF the Brit
ish snake helped to explain. 1t might
be that the reason there were no snakes
in Ireland was the multiplicity of ITS
own plaques. Everybody must be
struck with the beauty of the harmless
snakes, which formed the overwhelming
majorlty-especially the grace with
which they wreataed their bodies into
circles, and their fine eyes. The veno-
nous snakes were not so beautiful.
None admired our native viper, with lis
yellowish scales. Passing to snakes III
general, of which there are many hun
dreds Of distinct species, the lecturer IL
lustrated in great detail the adaptation
of their organization to its manifold
work.
Very graphic was his description Of
the manner in which some of the more
destructive snakes dart suddenly on lheii
prev, twisting themselves round its body
and crushing 1t into shapeless mass
then swallowing il whole. lie poinieet
out some very curious arrangements II
| the anatomi al mechanism ana JawDonef
illustrative OF the statement that III,
snake cannot properly be SAID to swal
low his prey; he holds on to Il, III mos
leisurely manner, but never letting IL go
| He would take sleep for six weeks be
tore giving up his task, and, ii the NOR
| sci were too biz, woild sometimes die II
the effort to get ii down. The poison
bag of the venomous snakes WAS nothin!
but a modification OF the saliyary gland
of the harmless species, the structure o
both kinds being in almost all respects
identical. The fact that the saiiyar'
gland was the poison laboratory OF thu
deadly snakes, as well as the know
properties of the saliva of dogs and othe
living creatures affected with rabies, ap
peared to Prof. Huxley to point out th'
direction in which lay the solution o
the difficult problem of the cause o
snake poisoning and of a possible anti
dote against 1t. AT present there was NJ
man living who could heal the bite o
the cobra, except by cauterization il
very fresh cases.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Quieting q Patient.

Excited and anxious patient-Doctor.
do wish you'd tell me what's the matter
with me: Pm clear out ofsorts this morn
ing and Pm afraid I'm going to be down
sick What is the matter with me? Doc
tor (gravely)-Let me see your tongue.
Patient thrusts it out. "What have you
been eating?" Patient (rehectively)-
Well, l was out late last night; had a bit
of supper at midnight, oysters, raw and
stewed, lobster salad, cold tongue, press
ed chicken, curds and cream, coffee, some
fruit cake, little cheese and handful
of hickory nuts. Doctor( (doubtfully)-Let
me see your tongue again? Looks at it
thoughtfully, then in authoritative tones,
"Ah, yes, 1 see; you've been eating some
thing that doesn't agree with you" Crate.
full patient gives him 81.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
A Plague OF Locusts.

A detachment of troops bound for
General Lazarofi's expedition against
the Turcomans, met with a curious mis-
adventure near the Georgian town of
Elizavetopol. At q few ersts from the
town the soldiers encountered the wing
OF an army of locusts, reputed to be ~
miles in length and broad in proportion.
The officer in charge did not like to
turn back, repelled by mere insects, and,
pushing on, soon became surrounded by
the locusts. These appear to have mis-
taken the soldiers for trees, and swarmed
by Thousands around them, "crawling
over their bodies, lodging themselves in
their helmets, penetrating their clothes
and their knapsacks, filling the barrels
of their rifles, and striving to force
themselves into the unfortunate mems
ears and noses" The commander gave
the order for the troops to push on
doub le-quick for Elizavetopol, but the
road was 80 blocked with loeusts that
the soldiers grew frightened, and, after
wavering few minutes, regular stam-
pede took place. Led by a non-commis.
stoned officer Of keen vision, who had
observed few huts a short distance
from the road. the troops dashed across
the fields. The huts were soon reacned,
and the officers rushed inside. but the
refuge proved to be of little value, as the
premises were already in possession OF
the enemy. The peasants told the cor
respondent of the Kdvkas that for days
they had been besieged by the vermin,
the insects filling the wells and tainting
the water, crowding into the ovens and
spelling the bread, and preventing any
food being cooked or stored. At inter
walls the villagers issued from their
houses and made onslaughts on the To-.
Gusts, killing them by thousands, and
cartingthem away to the field after
detaired prisoners by the insects for
forty. eight hours, and on their march to
Elilayetopol, in the rear of the locust
army, they found every blade of grass
and green .caf destroyed and the peas
ants reduced to beggary.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Trinss.
Headluarters-A pillow.
A lovely spot--The ace.
Be Just and beer not.
Trines.

A lovely spot--The ace.
Be just and beer not.
The first round-The earth.
Miscellaneous matter-Brickbats.
Vein Observation-Disclosures.
A Astem-windcr-The ivy green.
The peal of the first bell was hg-
leaf.
The Chinese navy yards are junk
shops.
The original Lady OF Lyons was
lioness. t... . .t'
Noah had faith in two OF kind
Can there be a bakers dozen of leav-
ened bread? ...
An honest milkman is the scar cest
work Of God.
A majority can be too small to beproud
Of. u- .
When grapes are squeezed it makes
them whine.
A field for a physicisn-A new cem-
etry.
How to make crockery ware-Don't
use it.
AFTER the canvass duck shoot
ing.
Arc bits of advice presents of mind?
Balloonists find that they cannot live
on air.
Light literature-A bank book with no
balance.
Sidewalks should be covered with the
flags of all nations.
A man with a wheelbarrow carries all
before him.
A masked ball-Weeping behind your
handkerchief.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
TO AN OLD CYNlC
Qel9rayia Annual.


NV. oeaso Of your young days to prate.
Men Twenty" marked the century osG
swear, In seveory-ptns,
Tho Ctrls 10 whom you fein woulo proscp,
II lcss precise their dress and speech,
Ars fully as divins'
Why still lament the by,eone days
Arc not our maidens still to praise,
In spite OF altered use?
The cow ne er made the monk, you Know
Fair forms rs tiippingly may go
In high heels as In shoes.
How quaint they showed The short high wns'
With terchief o er the bosom placed
And mi,fens long and prim;
The feathered hat-scant. skired gown,
Which let the silken clocks be shown
That decked those ankles trim.
The heart as fervently may beat
As underneath kerchief neat,
When stays press tight upon H.
Though hat and feather be away,
Bright eyes can shine as frank ana gay
Beneath a Paris bonnet.
Then cease your praise Of olden times.
And own the truth that urged these rhyme
Fair maids there still are plenty,
Tbeir hearts as true their deeds AS goou'
As winning sweet their maiuenhood,
In seventy mine rs twenty.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Miss Jessup's Pluck.
New York Express.


Miss Emma Jessup, pretty young
lady, resides with her parents at No.
Montgomery street. On Friday evening
previous to paying a short visit 10 a lady
friend, she was on her way to her room
TO get some articles, when she met two
young men hurrying down the stairway
to the street. Their actions were so SUE.
picious that she at once glanced toward
her room, the door of which she had
previously locked. and saw it standing
wide open. The plucky girl followed
Immediately after the strangers. They
saw her coming, and haslened then
speed. One succeeded in gaining the
front door, rushed out into the street
and escaped. His companion was for
lowing suit, when Miss Jessup, reaching
out her hand, caught him bv the coat
tail. Turning fiereely upon her, ne
threatened her with violence if she dla
not release her hold, but Miss Je9ip
only clung the more tightly TO him, cry
ing out "Helpl help" at the top of hei
voice. The thief struggled violently 70
free himself, but without success. Some
of the nelghbors now came to the young
lady's assistance, but she mainianeu
her hold upon the fellow until Police
man Mullery, who had heard her cries,
arrived and took HIM into custody. inc
prisoner, now thoroughly crestiallen,
was locked up over night in the Madison
Street Station-house. Yesterday morn
ing he was taken to Essex Market Cour'
and confronted with the fair complain
ant. She approached the witness-sahu,
showing no signs of her adventure oil .he
-evious evening. The prisoner. on ius
contrary, presented sorry fgure W.
right eye being discolored where MIS-
Jessup had struck him while he was al.
tempting to escape. With no attempt Nv
display she told the story of how snI
captured him. When congralulaa.aeI1
upon her brave act, she simply snlleu
She said that she felt no fear in ensou,, M
tering the prisoner, and had maze rip IpI
her mind that he should not escape lrS
accused was then asked his name NV NV
business. He answered that nc "r
Walter ]. McKenna, eigAteen yeTg Ig
old, a stenographer, residing, at No, w. 'o of
Pearl street. When asked the n.li. ~
his companion, he said that he diu "v
know it, and that he was stranger "a
him. Examination of his pockets ~
suited in the finding of jewelry, col;,'g l;nSs
ing of bracelets, tinger-rings, ear,,n INN
and chain valued at 5000. Miss Jo, M
stated that other property belonglhs, s,bat|
her was missing. II is supposeG noe.
McKenna's confederate had IT IN NJ ,iounj EN-
session when he escaped. Miss yess ,ews
said the thieves had robbed her 80
case of all it contained, and wesSN7
IDENTIFY on the point of ransackihnga w ",
bureau when they were dlsturpea,r pYo,reat
approaching footsteps and beat a rra,i randin..
Justice Murray, aiter again coiaiiL.ri me- nris
the young lady's conduct, held tne Iii
oner for trial in default of $1,000 pa'''
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
The Source of the Niger.
London S,andart


A great geographical discovery is re-
ported to have been made by two
Frenchmen. A telegram from Sierra
Leone states that NM. Zweifel and Mons
tier. representatives of the firm Of Nj.
Verminck, of Versailles, succeeded dur
ing September in discoving the source
of the Niger. This great river, which
waters the Western Soudan, has hitherto
hidden its cradle in the northern spur
of the Kong Mountains, q chain parallel
with the Gulf of Guinea, and one of the
bulwarks of Central Africa. Many ex-
plorers had tried TO penetrate into these
unknow parts, but failed. The French
traveller, Callile, followed the Kong
Mountains northward, was obliged 10
content himself with indicating the
course of the Upper Niger and its tribu-
taries. Messrs. Iaing and Winwood
Reade tried in vain TO explore the re-
gion of the sources of the Dioliban; the
mistrust and hostility of the natives
forced them to abandon the solution OF
the problem. a French merchant,
possessing several stores on the western
coast of Africa, resolved to attempt the
difficult task. NJ. Verminck chose two
,f his employees, hardened to the eli
-.a. and accustomed to treating with
the nati, - he sent them mathematical
instruments maps and money, and told
them to explore the Niger both from a
scientific and commercial point Of view.
NM. Zweilul and Monster both left
Sierra Leone, ft flowed the course Of the
Robelle, and attained the foot of the
Kong mountains. 1t was here that the
greatest difficulty had to be encountered;
but they fortunately succeeded in over.
coming it. The warlike tribes who had
hitherto refused to let the white man
60 further this time let the two French
men pass the chain and explore the
three sources which, uniting III a short
distance, form the great river of the
Western Soudan.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Preaching.
Saturday Review.

The great French preachers used TO
write and learn their sermons by heart,
like the Greek orators OF old, and one at
least of the most eloquent extempore
preachers in the Church of England at
the present day is said to do the same.
Others might find the preparation ofnotes
sufficient. perhaps committing TO mem
ory certain critical passages, as is the
habit of some Of our greatest P1rliamen-
tary orators: not but there is danger in
trusting too much to purpurei panni
Every one has heard the story of an am
bilious young preacher. who had been
discoursing before Rowland Hill. and who
afterward pressed the great man TO tell
him which passage in his sermon had
struck him most. "Sir, ,"was the prompt
reply, ,".what pleased me most was your
passage from the pulpit TO the ves,ry.
The last addition on the list of silver
iewelry is an earring representing u
ribbon run through riug.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14

his ewes. Ever since that day he has
been a changed man, and no one in the
place gives less trouble. Maybe In his
fsr.awsy Western home he has Q little
Katie of his own. No one knows, for be
never reveals his inner life; but the
change 80 quickly wrought BY q child
proves that he has o heart, and gives
hope that he may forsake bis evil ways.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Egyptian scarabei and Gems en CAbochon.

One of the most curious things to be
found by the traveller in Egypt is the
scarabaus. This gem is a stone, some
times almost as hard as diamond, cut
into a rcpi esentation OF beetle or some
other insect of the country, and esteem
ed as sacred. Although to the nervous
the peculiar exactitude with which in
sect life i, thus reproduced, becomes
UNI leasant, the student of ancient art is
startled and gratified by that very per-
lection. As gems en- cabochon are the
present rage 1t may not be amiss to ex-
plain that this form represented an elon-
gated drop, as Of wax tallow, or dripping
water. This, in the shape which some
pearls assume, becomes exquisite for the
earring, and, indeed, suggested the fam
GUS diamond "tear-drops." Agates cut
en- cabochon display their beautiful con.
fipurations. 1t is q favorite maj ner OF
working the vivid carbuncle, as also the
turquoise, while the wine-coloied garnet
gains by this treatment. Nothing can
be more lovely in jewelry than the opal,
when It's lustrous and soft hues are so
displayed, NOR does II need accessories
to enhance It.
r.. -. - nark ~ rali9d upo0 A
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14

Az Indian at Orleans Bar, Cal, killed
Q white man while frenzicd with whisky.
ooms mfncn tied the murderer to tree
~ uuod hin - . target for ri1e shoee-
~ us34 - Vas 6eo4
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
Thsodosta burr.

From Michigan comes the blood-curd.
ling tale of an ancient mariner, named
Burdick, who has Just died in county
poor house, This rough old salt claims
70 hsve been the murderer Of Theodosia,
dsnrSasr q Aaron Burr, whom, = one
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14

Gro. AUGUSTUS SALA says "the yvStlN, ysntl,
men of New York are an en'"
od-looking race"
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14

FrEsxvas csnncs Be relied upoa -
judGss e ~ nd vroag.
The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
PROTECTING GRAPE VINES.

AMERICAN honey in the comb has be.
come u popular article Of diet in Eng
land and very large shipments are made.
IT is said that one bushel Of beets
added to nine bushels of apples makes
cider richer and of superior favor to
that made of apples alone.
CAREFUL observation Of the growth
of crops will enable the farmer to as.
certain the wants Of his aoil. while,
by the application of few general prin-
ciples he may be led TO the general i'm.
proyement OF his lands. If with q good
sun exposure his crops wear pale green,
he may safely infer a lack Of nitrogen.
II the straw is soft and too weak to bear
the head, it will teach him that the soil
is deficient in available potash; If he has
a good growth of straw and lignt yield
of grain. he will find by the application
of phosphatcs, that the yield Of grain
will be largely increased, though while
growing his crop may not appear to be
benefited.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-01
A Terrible Railroad Disaster

The most remarkable disaster, in the histo-
nv of railroads, is that which occurred at
Taybridge. Scotland, on Sunday night. By
the catastrophe, between one and two
hundred lives were lost, and so complete
was the wreck that not a single survivor
remained to tell of that terrible night
The disaster was caused by the breaking
down of the central girders of the long
railway bridge across the river Tay, in
Perthshire, Scotland, at about seven O'Clock
in the evening, whilst train from Edin
burgh to Dundee was crossing over it. The
Tay is holder river and carries larger
volume of water within its banks than any
other in the British Islands. At the point
where the bridge crossed it, the depth of
water ranges from forty to forty-tive feet.
while the height of the bridge from the sur
face of the water was Lightweight feet
During the great storm that prevailed off
the coast of Scotland on Sunday the large
girders sustaining the central spans of the
bridge suddenly gave way. and into the
yaWning chasm thus formed, the train,
consisting of four third-class cars, one first
class, one second-class and the brakesmen's
van, was precipitated into the river, and of
the whole OF the pa sengers on board not
one escaped drowning.
The bridge over the Tay was two miles
long and of eighty-fve spans, and so great
confidence was put in its powers to resist
any strain to which it might be subjected
that no thought seems to have been taken
to keep watch over it. The consequence
was that some time elapsed before the ma
ture Of the disaster was ascertained. When
it did become known all the passengers
were drowned and the wreckage was float
ing ashore.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-01


sozasla bears tnr nasyeions revival OF
industrial enterprise during the year just
closed, the reader will be attracted by the
fsra s1Sphs we publish to-day, noticing sci
entific advancements such as are presented
in the successful experiments In electric
light, by Mr.. Edison. and the bold PROPOSE
ton of Mr.. Eads to construct ship rail-
road between the oceans across the Isthmus,
as substitute for the proposed canal.
Not only in manufacturing and scientific
fields of development and enterprise have
the results of the.syear passed the mostex
travagant conceptions entertained twelve
months ago, but the higher influences Of
Christianity are advancing upon the cen
tres Of infidelity and heathendom, and open.
ing the way for the missionary in the heart
of Mohammedanism and Brahminism. Tur-
kanistan has been invaded by the Greek
Church, through the armed legions of Rus
STA, and Afghanistan has been penetrated
by that great power upon whose domain
the sun never sets, to be followed in qnick
succession by the armies OF that Great
King, whose mission is peace and good will
towards men.
The year of 1879 has been one OF mar
yelous results, as illustrated in the wonder
full physical enterprises and progress of our
own country, the discoveries of science and
the achievements of Christianity through
human agencies-all demonstrating the
expanding capacities of the human mind,
and the progressive diffusion of the light of
Christianity over the dark places of the
earth.
The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-01-01
Edison's Electric Light.
From New York Herald Dec, 2

From New York Herald Dec, 20.
According to arrangement a number OF
gentlemen met in the labratory Of Thomas
A. Edison at Menlo Park, last night, for the
purpose OF witnessing the practical working
of the perfected electric light. Ex.Judgc
A. B. Fisher, representing extensive gas in.
terests, g. II. Pond, superintendent of the
Union Fire Alarm Telegraph Company; Al
van Tenny, secretary, and William Il. Dyke.
man, of Orange. N. j., were present. The
inventor devoted % hours to an ex-
haustive exhibit and explanation OF the
marvellous electric apparatus which was
brought into play duriLg the evening. Wires
leading from the generator in the labratory
connected with and illuminated number
of the adjacent residences, and two street
lamps in front OF the Inventors Office threw
ont bright light. Mr.. Edison first proved
that the electric current is capable Of subdi-
vision. He then showed his visitors the two
main electric conductors which furnished
light for the entire labratory. Afterwards
he hung number oflamps side by side, each
one giving out an equal light, and not the
slightest variation In the light OF the other
lamps was noticed. Light after light was
attached until the Illuminating power of the
conductors seemed unlimited, and then
the gentlemen declared themselves more
than satisfied that subdivision of the electric
current had been accomplished. Mr.. Edison
next gave an elaborate illustration of the
manufacture of the various parts of the
lamp and the manner In which the vacuum
in the glass bulb Is attained. The generator,
in full operation was also viewed, and the
inventor explained its intricate workings.
A device for weighing on an actual platform
scale the power employed In the process Of
of generation was examined, after which the
visitors were treated to view of Mr.. Edi-
sons electric motor, designed for running
sewing machines and other light machinery
In private dwellings. The uses of number of
other scientific apparatus were explained.
The inventor took particular pains to an
swer all questions by practical demonstra-
ton on the spot.