davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
The Story Of Jacquard's Loom

A great improvement had been effect
ed in the weaving of silk by a native of
I yons, named Joseph Marie Jacquard
This poor artisan was born and bred a
silk weaver, but had also been book
binder and type-founder and cutter be
fore his eye lighted on a paragraph in
an English newspaper stating that the
society of arts offered reward to any
one who should invent machine Cor
weaving nets Induced to try his me-
chanical skill, jacquard, in 1902, con-
structed loom which effected the pur-
pose but thinking little of his inven-
ton, he laid it aside, and the original
machine was either lost or destroyed
But by some means or other the net he
had made found it's way to Paris, and
when he had almost forgotten the piece
of mechanism, Jacquard, to his surprise,
was one day summoned in the presence
of the project Of the department., who,
after questioning him about the inven'
ton and discovering that it could not
be found, Somewhat peremptorily Or
dsred him to make another. After the
expiration of three weeks Jacquard +
turned with the machine, and few
days subsequent lie was arrested and dis
patched to Paris in charge of gendarms.
There he was introduced to Bonaparte
and Carnot, the latter salating him with
the query: care the man who pretends
to do what God Almighty cannot do,
tie knct in stretched string| JAG.
guard replied that he could only do
what God had taught him to do, and
proceeded to explain the working of his
machine. The Emperor rewarded the
inventor with pension Of 1000 crowns,
gave him employment in the Conserva
tories dies Arts, and made strenuous eff
forts to get the jacquard loom adopted;
but this was task that almost over
taxed his power, and in which he only
partially succeeded The intention en-
countered great hostility in France, and
especially in Lyons, where the Coaseil
des Prud homes broke it TO bits in one
of the public squares, and denounced
jacquard as a man worthy of universal
ignominy. It was in st. Etlenne the
chief rival of Lyons in the silk manu-
features, that the Jacquard loom was
first generally adopted, and when the
inventor died, in 1894, few of the fruits
Of his discovery We're visible. - CasselVs
7 echri,al Educator
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
A Doctors Mistake.

At some Of the more primitive Ger
man and Bohemian watering places a
quaint old custom still prevails, in virtue
of which the resident medical men, or
bath-doctors, take up their stations every
morning at fixed hour, under particu-
lar trees, on the leading promenade Of
their Babe Ort, so that their patients
may be enabled to make sure of finding
them for consultation and advice, at a
particular time and in a particular place
a good memory for faces is a sine qua
non to these sons of .Esculapius, who,
in the height Of the season, frequently
"interview" from fifty to sixty invalids
apiece during these al fresco receptions.
Mistakes as to identity, however, will
occur, and sometimes result in singular
ly comical complications. Recently one
of the most popular physicians at a
crowded Bade-O was visited under his
tree by an American gentleman, a re
cent arrival, who complained that the
waters caused him such terrible head
aches that he thought he had better
drop them and depart to other climes.
The doctor, unwilling thus prematurely
to lose his patient, looked him over hast
lily, and, perceiving that he wore thick
felt sombrer3, told him ''it was not the
waters that made his head ache, but his
Internationally heavy hat Swiftly the
American betook HIM to the nearest
halter, of whom he purchased a straw
fabric so light as to be all but imponder-
able, and went on drinking the water as
before. His headache, however, grow
inc worse instead of leaving him he
again called upon lis medical adviser
few days later, and told HIM that his
head was Ill so bad he really must try
some other cure The doctor, who in
the meantime had forgotten all about
his previous prescription, and was as
reluctant as ever to let his patient de-
part, again cast comprehensive glance
at him, and espying his straw lat. eX-
claimed:
"You cannot expect to be free from
headache il you wear such a rreposter-
ously light head-coyering ! man of
your age, nearly bald, and in this hot
weather, must protect his head from the
suns rays by stout, solid hat. ~
Tie American gazed at his lnter.oc
utor for a few seconds in blank astonsh-
ment; then, after bowling profoundly,
he sardonicaily replied;
Thank YOU, doctor; am Of to the
railway station" turned on his heel and
Departed.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
The Word Negro

The Standard Bearer, edited 10y a col
ored man, SAYS: We are atraia that
some os our readers among the coored
people misunderstood the word "negro,
as applied to their race, and one of our
correspondents has most vigorously pro
tested against our use of it. He prob.
ably considers it Synonymous with mig
ger, vul gar, meaningless epithet, that
no people on earth use so frequently as
the colored people themselves.
The word negro is the proper race
designation of the colored people in
America, and is rightly applied to the
descendants of the tribes along the
coast OF Africa. The names of our
young friend alludes to with so much
pride were African, out not negro. The
word AFRICAN has no relevancy as a
race designation any more than the
word "American;" and American may
be Esquimaux, Sioux or Anglo-Saxon
according the blood of his veins; an
African may be Egyptian, Moor or Ne
gro for the same reason, and we have
never thought the word African prop
erly descriptive adjective when applied
to our race.
The term 'colored, while generally
used, is rather meaningless, and strictly
speaking, the word Negro with a big
n is the only correct term, and we see
no improperly in using it. 1t is
neither low ncr degrading, unless our
actions make it so, and i: is open to no
more objection than the words Irish or
German. Our ancestors were negroes
and no more barbarous or uncivilized
than the ancestors of the whites, and it
is only false idea of its meai.ing that
makes our people object to its use. In
these days of fine phrases, it will be
well for us to use the shorter and more
expiessiTe term, american citizens of
African descent"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
What Seven Women Did.

These women lived in the country
were housekeepers with large families
and small means each one did her own
work, and was full of care To bright
en- up their monotonous lives a little dur
ing the dull, hard winter, they proposed
to meet once in two weeks at each 9th
ers houses, with their knitting or sew
ing, but to go home before tea; that it
should not interfere with their regular
duties.
One of them proposed that they
should read some book together and
talk about il aftcrward thus affording
them pleasan. and useful subjects for
thought during the intervals of visiting.
One lady suggested that they read
Shakespeare She had once seen the play
of Hamlet, and she wanted to know
more Of this wonderful book. This at
FIRST seemed to these women of limited
education, and at the ages of from 40 to
60, as an idea too ambitious for them to
carry out but at last they determined
to attempt it, although for fear of the
ridicule of others who might hear of il,
they resolved to keep their own counsel.
BY dint of economling and contriv-
ing, they purchased copy of Shaks-
peare, and with the aid of pronounc-
ing dictionary to test all doubtful words,
they began with TIE play of Julius
Cesar. Flom reading the plays, they
were led to desire a knowledge of Shaks.
peare, his surroundings and friends. A
kind and consenial friend, to whom they
confded their secret, obtained for them
the necdful books. Notwithstanding the
preparatory reading and the necessary
study for these meetings had to be done
here and there in odd moments, these
women felt uplifted and refreshed by the
thoughts which thus came to them, and
they were delighted with the new out
lock which opened over and above their
weary lives. BY their careful and strict
attention to their studies, the range Of
their knowledge was greatly enlarged,
and they were able to write creditable
and thoughtful essays on subjects which
grew out of their research.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
Heidelberg Dueuing.

Among the sixty or seventy English
and American students at Heidelberg,
none Of them belong to the fighting
corps. They are not towards either.
1t is known if occasion requires they
can hght their own way, but they have
no desire that their good looking faces
shall be hacked and chopped up like dogs
meat and be disigured ever after. Not
long ago an American student had a
sli sht quarrel with one of the lighting
corps students and received from him a
challenge Being the challenged party
the American sent word to the German
by friend that he would meet him the
next morning at 6 o'clock at place out
side the city, and the weapons should be
navy revolvers (he had good pair, at
ten PAGES. The German and his friends
concluded it would not be good day for
duels and so .he matter dropped. A STU
dent here was reading me an extract OF
a letter he had recently received from
his father in Kentucky As near as |
can remember this is the substance of
the letter:
DEAR BoB:-I hear that they have
sword duels in Heidelberg, and that
many of the students engage in them. |
do not believe in the barbarous practice
of yelling, but there are times when one
has to fight or be branded a coward.
You know that our family does not be-
long to the latter class. Never choose
swords only towards and Frenchmen
use those weapons. Choose pistols or
rifles, which mean business. Never
show yourself in your native town with
with sword scratch on your person.
From your ahectionate FATHER.
The young man asked me what
thought of that doctrine | told him |
did not believe in either the sword
scratch or the hole made by a pistol
ball
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
Beer N Africa.

Under the head of "Beer in Africa"
o French journal publishes some infor-
nation which is rather amusing, Almost
al. the people Of Africa, i. appears,
drink beer, but those who like this drink
best are the Catfres. The female Catfres
are the brewers of the beverage to which
they give the delightful name of ''ut-
sohualla.' But the beer which they
make is not intoxicative 1t contains. on
the other hand, fattenlng principles. AS
corpulence is sign OF distinction among
the Caffres, one may imagine, says the
French writer, what vast quantity Of
beer is consumed by each gallant Catfre,
so that he may rank among the digni-
taries of the nation Followers lower
in the social scale have equally aristo-
cratic tastes; consequently, beer is an
important item in the Caifre establish
ment. The malt employed in the prepa-
ration of this beer is said not to be made
OF barley, but maize and millet. The
grain is arranged for the purpose Of
termination, then it is roasted.
The Catire, we further learn, is indie
pendent of the hop; he has substitute
OF his own which acts as an eaectual
Substitute" 1t seems, however, that
the Catfre proceeds quite methcdically
with his brewing, and does not appear
to be much troubled by the phenomena
of fermentation. There are other peo-
pie in Central Africa Balondes for
irstance-who brew, but their beer has
no "fattening principles. Still it has
its recommendations for we learn that
in this district the beer drinkers may
be observed extended full length upon
the ground-drunk. This circumstance,
naively adds the French writer, may be
observed in European countries, and it
is not peculiar to Central Africa alone.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
The Anger of a God.

What is known as Dead Lake lies be-
tween Lake Earl and the coast, about
midway on q line from the mill to what
is known as keller's pond. There are
many strange stories connected with
this mysterious lake, which has no visi-
Die outlet, and yet, despite the ceaseless
flow of a small stream which empties
into it, retains a. uniform volume Of
water. Its DEPTHS have been sounded,
and though it has been asserted that
bottom was found at o depth of twenty
five feet, this must have been very near
to the shore, as others woo have dared
to venture upon its dark waters report
that there is a considerable area where
no bottom can be found. There is an
old Indian legend in regard to the origin
of the lake. Long years ago, long be-
fore the invading feet of the white man
had sought this coast, there dwelt here
a numerous Indian tribe. Many Sum-
mers they lived in peace and content
.nent. The waters abounded with fish,
the forests were filled with game, and
the Indians heart was glad. But at last
came the time of sorrow One day the
old chief while at the council, became
angered at one OF the most respected
men of the tribe, and struck him to the
ground. This one blow forever destroy
ed the harmony which had until then
existed. The friends Of the gray-haired
councilmen rebelled at the authority Of
etheir chief and cried for vengeance. But
the greater portion of the tribe remained
loyal and were victorious, pursuing the
vanquised and fleeing enemy back
among the sand dunes near the coast.
The heart Of the Indian God, Clu-te-
nog-gy, was filed with wrath because of
this discord among his people, and he
determined to inhict terrible punish
ment. The heavens became covered
with menacins clouds of terrible dark
ness, and the wind swept over the shift
ing sands, binding and blocking the
way of pursued and pursuer. Sudden
ly deafenng sound broke upon their
ears, and, like the jaws of mighty dra-
gon, the earth opened beneath their feet
and they were swallowed from sight.
The storm burst in all its wild fury, the
torrents poured into the gaping abyss,
and the ripping waters OF Dead Lake
now lave the sides Of that sepulcher To
this day no Indian can be induced to APP
proach Dead Lake They tell the story
that two, holder than the others, con-
quered tLeir dread, and building a ca
noe ventursd upon its waters, but they
were never heard of afterward Its
depths are said 70 be infested with rep
tiles of enormous dimensions, to which
assertion strong semblance of truth
is given By the report of z. W. Wilson,
E4g, last Summer. that he saw an i'm
mehse serpent in the vicinity of Lake
Earl. This monster Ophidian doubtless
crossed over from Dead Lake, and it
has not since been seen, the probability
is that it has returned to its home
Crescent City Record.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
Some Turkish Intrigues.

Perhaps the most striking fact to a
stranger is the little interest Turkish
women seem to inspire atuong the gal
liant population of Constaptinople. But
sucn strangers are perhaps unaware Of
the danger of word or even look; a
prolonged gaze into the carriage of a
grande dame Turquo may provoke the
ire of an attendant eunuch, and cause
him to lay about right and left the
heavy whip with which be is often pro
vided but the greatest danger lies in
the treacherous encouragement of the
grande dame herself. Some years ago a
Mr.. B., a young Frenchnan of this
town, became enamored of one of those
yelled Sunos, whose soft glances seemed
to reveal reciprocal passion. Day af-
ter day he awaited her carriage at a
corner of the principale thoroughfare,
and day after day the bewitching eyes
drew him caressingly to his doom. Still
no words were exchanged Mr. B.
became more AMI more infatuated, and,
in spite of the warning of his friends,
he determined to carry on the intrigue
to the end, whatever that might be. Pa
tiently he bided his time and his oppor-
tunity, nor were they long in present
ing themselves. He was rewarded one
day by seeing tiny .ieweled hand drop
billet from the carriage window, which
futtered all unnoticed to his feet. Seiz
ing the paper, the enraptured French
man hurried deciphered the few words
contained therein. The lady proposed a
meeting for that same evening in the
obscure corner Of large cemetery. Mr.
B, who had patiently borne the
quizzing of his friends, now informed
them of the progress of his adventure.
He was again warned against pursuing
it further. but he laughed at the idea Of
danger, and, accompanied by friend,
repaired to the redezvous at the APP
pointed hour He was presently accost-
ed by a sable servant. exceedingly well
dressed, who politely invited him to fol-
low. The two friends turned idto de-
serted street and arrived at a small door,
which led through a covered yard to q
second entrance. This their guide I'M
locked, and made sign for NJ. BIS
friend to retire All was silence and
darkness around; the servants black
eyes seemed to glance with malice, and,
moved again by an underlined fear, the
friend implored Mr. B to return.
bah p returned this gentleman, ''iJ is
too late; besides what is there to fear
when things are managed so easily p
The door closed upon the auiacious
Frenchman, but the fears of his friends
were prophetic was never seen by
them again Many attempts were made
to learn his fate, and large brides were
freely given for this object A hint was
received that he had been conveyed be-
yond the frontier, but all trace of him
was lost, and no further clue was ever
obtained as to his disappearance. One
or two such adventures are enough TO
damped the ardor Of the boldest Love
lace, and, unfortunately, other Examples
have not been wanting.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

All reports fvom France and Italy
agree that the silk crop in those coun-
tries will be more abundant this season
than for the past 10 years. Advices
from different districts in Japan an.
nounce that only about 100000 cartons
will be manufactured this year, ana as a
considerable quantity will be required
for home use, it is expected that the
cards available for expectation will re.
alize very renumerative prices.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

A writer in Vanity Fair tells a good
story of an Irishman. "He told me he
was about half landlord and half tenant,
and he said that he meant to go in for
the popular cry of no rint = But
how about the land you have let, said L.
"'The rint pay is few pounds more
than the rint get, so I'd be in about
the same position, and think of the pop.
ularity of 1t +"
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

A doctor being out for a days shoot.
ing, took an errand-boy to carry the
game bag Entering field Of turnips,
the dog pointed, and the boy. enjoyed at
the prospect Of his masters success, ex-
claimed, "Lor, master, there's covey;
if you get near EN- won't you physic
EN-" "Phyic EN-, you young rascal,
what do you mean p said the doctor.
"Why, kill EN-, to be sure, replied the
lad
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

"Biddy," said a lsdy to her servant,
81 wish you woald step over and see
how old Mrs. Jones is this morning.
In a few minutes Biddy returned with
Ahe information that Mrs. Jones was
seventy-two years, seven months and
twenty-eight days old.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

Kingsford's Cswego Corn Starch, on
account Of its delicious purity, is the best
for children and invaiids
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11

The population of Berlin is l,0Sl,230
persons, of whom only 81, l73 are de
scribed in the census as belonging to the
military.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
Latest Market Reports !
Fail TeleSraphic Reports.
AND
Other Matterslof General Interest
Abolished W TO the time OF going
TO Press

CO. The Market Review is the most
complete and reliable one furnished to
any paper Of general sws in this State.
The Editorials are ably written and
are of themselves worth more than the
subscription price.
The condemnation OF Local News
select and reliable and contains matters
Of interest to everyone acquainted with
Oregon a6sir
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-09
Words OF Wisdom.

ONE day is worth three TO him who
does everything in order.
He is not only idle who does nothing,
but he is idle who might be better en-.
ployed.
The youth who thinks tho world his
oyster, and opens it forthwith, finds no
pearl therein. Mac DOndd.
As TO being prepared for defeat, Ger.
tainly am not Any man who is pre-
pared for defeat would be half defeated
before he commenced. l hope for sue
cess, shall do all in my power to secure
IT, and trust to God for the rest.-Fdr.
rag,a.
Tm greatness shows itself in ignoring,
or quickly forgetting personal injuries,
when meaner natures would be kept in
unrest by them. The less Of a man one
is, the more he makes of an injury or an
insult. The more Of man he is, the
less he is disturbed by what others say
OF DO against him without cause.
1T is not good to be angry with those
who may seem with malicious intent to
assail our cherished beliefs. A few
burning weeds may produce smoke
enough to hide the stars, but the stars
are shining all the same. II is not wise
to vex and weary ourselves by angry de-
nunciations of the smoke which will
soon pass off without our labor.
THE human mind is 80 constituted
that whenever it sees an event it is
obliged TO infer a cause also, whenever
1t sees adaptation it infers design. 1t is
not necessary to know the end proposed,
or who were the agents. We do not
know who built Stonehenge, or some of
the pyramids, or what they we're built
for but no one doubts that they were
the result Of design.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-09

Who has not heard of the sunken city
that lies stately and far beneath the sea?
Temple and tower and slender column
and rich fretted palace halls lie buried in
the deep, and the mariner sails over the
spot, ignorant Of the hidden glories
underneath. Only at sunset the bells
from tower and minaret peal forth wild,
sweet music that floats family over the
waters, and to him who listens comes a
great longing TO see the mysterious
beauty of this hidden city, Tapped in the
waves Of ocean. Still, as he fingers tho
desire grows stronger a strange, sweet,
overpowering force urging him to de-
scend through the cold, pure water, I'M
til with his own eyes he can behold the
ioveiiness that lies concealed beneath.
II he is strong in spirit he closes his ears
to the impelling music and steels his
heart against the yearning voice within.
If he is weak or sorrowful or wide-eyed
with hidden fancies he yields to the spell,
and the sunken city holds another VIC
tim, lying dead amid the beautiful DESC
lation below.
Lazily floating in small boat were
two men, one gray-haired and spent and
worn, with q far-off look in his tired
eyes; the other young and strong and
happy with the ignorant happiness of
youth. The day was drawing to close
and the sunset gilded the smooth waters
on which the boat rocked gently, while
both men sat absorbed in thought and
hardly conscious of each others pres
ence.
Suddenly the younger started.
Hark said he; "what far-off bells
are those that can be heard at this dis
lance from the shore y"
The other listened. Soft and clear
and strangely sweet they rang, now dy-
ing into silence, now pealing forth anew
over the waters. Spellbound they
listened as the sounds swept by them on
the evening wind "They are the bells
of the sunken city, said the gray-haired
man ct last, "snd IL must lie beneath
us now."
In silent awe they both leant from the
boat and looked long and earnestly into
the quiet waters. Clear and green they
lay, bathed in the radiance of the set
ting sun, and, as they watched, it seemed
to both that the rays Of light we're re-
fected back from gleamingroofs beneath.
Intently they gazed, and gradually un-
folded before their eyes lay stately tow
ers and minarets, vast marble halls and
strangely-gilded domes and steeples.
Between them surged fathoms Of crystal