davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
An 18 Inch Death.
The Most Malignant and Deadly Creature
in the World
London telegraph,

A recent arrival at the geological society
gardens in Regents park deserves special no.
tice, apart from the fact that it is the first of
its species known to have been brought to En-
gland. 1t is snake, called the echis cayinata,
about foot and half long, and dingy gray.
Yet, although in appearance neither interest
Ing nor formidable, it is the deadliest of
created things. This detestable little worm,
which, looking at it, the spectator might make
bold to say he could initiate very passably in
cork and putty, is, nevertheless, one of the mir
acles and masterpieces of nature, for it is death
itself, and carries in its tiny head the secret of
destroying life with the sudden rapidity of
lightning and the concentrated agony Of all
poisons The echis comes to us from India.
where it is tolerably common, being found in
nearly every part of the peninsula and feared
wherever found as the incarnation of instant
and terrible destruction. Fortunately, how
ever, for man, it is not, like the cobra and the
korait, house-freque nting snake; for its tiny
size would give it terrible Advantage over hu-
man beings who live crowded together as the
natives of India do, in small darkened rooms.
while its aggressive habits would make it in
finitely more fatal to life than its dreaded rel
basilisk is not only venomous beyond concep-
tion, but is actively offensive. 1t does not
turn to escape from man, as the cobra will OF
flash into concealment, like the korait, but
conscious perhaps, of its deadliness, deliber-
ately keeps the path against its human assail-
ant and, putting its own IS inches of length
against his bulk, challenges and provokes the
conflict. A stroke with whip will cut it in
two, or clod of earth disable it; but such is
its malignity that it will invite attack by every
device at its command, stalking its own life on
the mere chance of its adversary coming with
in the little circle of its power. At most, the
radius of this circle is IL inches, but within it,
at any point, lies certain death, and on the
bare hope of hand or foot trespassing within
its reach, the echis throws its body into fig
ure of eight coil, and attracting attention by
rubbing its loops together, which from the
roughness of the scales-hence the epithet car
inatd-makes rustling, kissing sound, ereets
its head and awaits attack. No one having
once encountered this terrible worm can ever
forget its truculent aspect when thus aroused,
its eager aggressive air. its restless coils which
in constant motion one over the other and are
rustling ominously all the while, stealthily
but surely bringing it nearer and nearer to the
object of its fury; the eye malignant even be-
yond those of other vipers, and then the in.
conceivable rapidity of its stroke. For the
echis does not want to strike until it is within
striking distance, but vents its malice in re-
peatedly darting at nothing, hoping, perhaps,
to aggravate its antagonist into coming to
closer quarters, or, more probably as a mere
expression of its own incontrollable vicious
ness.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
An Olympian Joke.


1t was bright afternoon and the immortals
were sitting on high Olympus watching the
cremation of some insane American who
thought there wasn't enough land on this con-
tinent to bury him in, when the blue eyed
maid remarked:
"Mars"
The colonel hastily folded up his map of tie
lava beds and slipped it into his pockets.
"Speak, Minerva; the class is up Go ahead
with the oral.'
when they put man into the crematory
or the retort, or whatever they call it, what
figure of expression does it remind you of?''
The colonel scratched his greaved shin (now
don't ask us what it was greaved about, or
we'll tell you it was greaved about to the
knee, for we are in no humor for nonsense)
and presently he said he wasn't much OF a
scholar on raw grammar, but he believed it
was a kind OF an erysipelas; something left out
you know"
"Well," said the goddess ''but what Is left
out?"
The colonel hesitated moment and said he
haden't considered in regards of that and
Hermes remarked. that it was probably an in
terpolation, because the man was put in.
Vulcan, who happened along with a hinge
for the front gate, asked if it wasn't hotology
Juno didn't think it could be tautology, be-
cause 1T WASH & always the same man. indeed,
it never was the same man.
Its the same man this time, isn't it,
asked her husband cautiously throwing up his
elbow to the level with his head.
Ganymede, the barkeeper, said he thought
it was hyperbole, because it was awfully ex-
travagant; $50 per man at the Washington.
pennsylvania, crematory was the regular
charge for every barbecue.
Saturn, who came up this afternoon, it being
Friday, with string of fish, said he thought
1T was synedoche, but, on being asked what
synedoche was, frankly confessed that he did
not know and went down three.
Apollo thought IL was a bit of trochaic
metre because the man was in his coffin.
1t took the immortals long time to catch
ON to this, and then Jupiter remarked that
they weren't running college pharmacy up
there.
NO." said his amiable married sister; "no,
pharmacy's sake don't talk doctor shop. What
do you think of it, Minerva"
The blue eyed goddess turned down her
place in Emerson, adjusted her eyeglasses and
said, with great precision:
"Why, the retort scorches; does not it strike
you that way?'
But, after moment of silence, the colonel
said he wasn't up to this new tangled pronun-
citation very well, and the immortal Jove
called to Ganymede to bring him a eight
one,' at the same time holding up all the fin
gers on one hand behind his wife's head.
Laughed all the gods; the heavens with laughter
broke
And wise Minerva thought twas at her Joke
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
The Horrors of Literal Translation,

The New York World does two local items
from the Paris Gaulois into English after the
following fashion:
''M Hubner, secretary of the commissariat
of the quarter of the door st. Denis, has made
proof yesterday of big courage and of pretty
blood-cold; informed that dog attained OF
the rage was refuged himself in the apartment
of the spouses Court of the Lttles Sta.
bles, he has not hesitated to penetrate in the
lodgment, and there, the revolver to the hand.
he has sought the terrible animal which he
discovered blotted under the bed At the mo-
ment when the beast enraged was enlaunch-
ing himself, the mouth open. NJ. Hubner
made fire and killed his redoubtable enemy
Our Fluctuations very sincere to this courage
GUS agent of the authority"
when the unhappiness bears himself down
on some one he does not abandon him facilely
Street Gregory of Tours, 10, dwell at the
fourth stage the spouses G., who are in the
most complete misery. The woman in this
moment is at the hospital the husband is
without work; since the morning he was
searching of the occupation, erring ON the
streets. Rested at the lodgings the two Titles
children, the one of years, the one off.
Therefore, yesterday night at seven hours,
pending that the father was absent, somes
nelghbors felt a strong odor of burned parting
from the Judgement of G., and PRESENT.
menting an unhappiness, enforced the door of
entry.
"Then sad spectacle offered himself to
their eyes. To the middle of the chamber the
two babies were twisting themselves to the
middle of the flames which they had commu-
nicated to their vestments in playing with the
matches. The poors Titles pushed the cries
frightful, for the sufferances which they re-
sented should have been atrocious, their
corpses not forming more than one wound.
The one of them over all, the most young,
was almost carbonized. The hurried cares
have been prodigalled to them as soon as, but
their state leaves few of hope
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
True to Life.

Some supposed friends of newspaper have
peculiar ideas as to what kind OF items paper
really requires Not long since gentleman
came into the Galveston News sanctum and
said; Look here! You miss a heap of live
items. I'm on the street all day; I'll come up
every once in while and post you"
"All right fetch on your item; but, remem-
Der. we want news"
Next day he came up, beaming all over.
"I've got live item for you. You know that
internal bow-legged gorilla of brother-in-law
OF mine, who was in business there with me?"
81 believe / remember such person." said
the editor wearily.
well, I've just got news from Nebraska.
where he is living, that he is going to run for
the Legislature. Now just give him a blast.
Lift him out of his boots. Don't spare him ON
my account"
Next day he came up again. "My little item
got crowded out. brought you some news. -
And be hands in an item about his cat, as fol-
lows:
"a Remarkable Animal-The family cat of
our worthy and distinguished fellow-townsman
smith, who keeps the boss grocery store of
Ward 13, (beer always on tap), YESTERDAY be-
came the mother of five.singularly- marked kit
tens. This is not the first time this unheard.of
event has taken place. We understand Mr..
Smith is favorably spoken of as a candidate
for alderman"
gar with the effort. 1t is not long before he
hears that Smith is going round saying that he
has made the paper what it is, but ID Is not in
dependent enough for place like Galveston.
Many readers will say this sketch is over
drawn, but thousand of editors all over the,
country will lift up their right hands to testify
that they are personally acquainted with the
guilty party.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
The BozleY Mail.
[Cleveland Plain Dealer. |


''Now wonder who this can be FROM" said
Mr.. Bozley of Prospect street as he came back
to the breakfast table with letter which the
postman had Just delivered
"What's the postmark?" queried Mrs. Boz
ley.
''I-I can't quite make out whether it's Chi
cago Or or Chataqua," slowly replied the head
of the family as he held the missive alternate
ly close to his eyes and afar off, and wrinkled
his brow in his efforts to make out the hero
glyphics.
''Lemme see it," said Mrs. B., snatching it
out of his hand. why, it's no more like Chi
cago than you're like Adonis. It's-it's-''
"Well? It's"
"Why, it looks like Kalamazoo when you
hold it this way" she went on, with a percep-
tible diminuton of confidence, however, but
when you turn it round-um- m-m-n--note exact
ly like Milwaukee-but anyhow tain't Chicago
nor nor that other place.
Here master Georgia. aged 10, deemed it in
cumbent ON himself to say, "Mebbe it's from
Uncle Dan and he's comm to see us and bring
that goat he promised me-
Il do wish, child, you'd stop calling him
Uncle Dan. Whatever possessed ma to give
my brother that name l can't imagine. But
faint from your Uncle Webster, child"
mo, 'talnt from Dan, cause Cleveland s
spelled with Q and he always spells it with q
X, remarks Mr.. b. in confirmation, and is re-
warded by whitening glance from his part
ner.
"Lemme look at it," says Miss Stella, aged
And the mysterious envelope is passed over
her.
naw!" she says, after critically examining
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
What mo Fellah Can Find Out. {.

buffalo Express.l
Is Gen. Hancock for protective or free
trade tariff? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for woman suffrage or
against it? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for hard money or soft
money? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for pensioning rebel as
well as Union soldiers? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for civil Service reform or
for the old Jacksonian spoils system? Nobody
knows.
for strict construction of the constitution?
Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for continuing the silver
coinage until resumption will be upset. or for
stopping it? Nobody knows.
Is Gen, Hancock for pensioning everybody
who served in the Mexican war, whether rebel
or not? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for enforcing or for nulli-
Tying the amendments to the constitution by
which the fruits of the war were secured? No
body knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for controlling the rail
roads and other common carriers by congress
sional legislation in the public interest. or
against it? Nobody knows.
Is Gen. Hancock for maintaining the cleo
ton laws intact, or for giving the South full
swing in carrying itself solid by fraudulent cleo
tions? Nobody knows
Is Gen. Hancock for or against appointing
enough new Democratic judges of the Supreme
Court to upset the war amendments to the con-
stitution, and so vivify the rebel debt and pep
sion the rebel soldier? How far, in short, is
he ready to go to show his gratitude to the ex-
rebels, his late enemies in the field, to whom
he now owes his nomination, and by whose
votes he must be elected? Nobody knows
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

NEW YORK Independent: We have no
expectation that the Southern States will
give a solitary electoral vote for General
Garfield. The ''solid South" will be solid
for General Hancock. What the Republi-
cans have to do is to prevent the addition
of the forty-seven electoral votes from the
North and West necessary to enable the
''solid South to elect its candidate, and this
with hard work can and will be done. The
redistribution of political power after this
election, under the census now being taken,
will put an end to the significance of the
''solid South" and leave Democracy as a
national party in hopeless minority for
years thereafter. One more victory, the
sixth in the series, will settle the question
that Republicanism, and not Democracy, is
to rule the nation.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE.

it, "I'll bet it's from Cousin Philip. Oh dear,
L hope it is and he's coming to see us this sum-
mer-he's so funnyi''
MY nephew never wrote such scrawl as
that" said Mrs. b. somewhat warmly. ''Its
more like some of your fathers side.'
Your fathers side, as you call EN- retort-
ed Mr.. B., flushing up, know how to spell
and, what's more. we never had red hair in the
family either till got married and"
And Mrs. B. with shrek dropped into u
chair and Mysteries and cut off further debate
When she finally consented to allow them
to bring her to, after all the approved remedies
had been brought into requisition, Mr.. B. pro-
ceeded to set at rest all surmises regarding the
epistle by the novel method of opening and
reading it; and when it proved to be a dunning
letter from that odious Miss Trivett who does
the family sewing he fiercely crumpled it up
in his hand and muttered somethings that
sounded like "Idiots" and though Mrs. B. ami
the children didn't know TO a certainty who
were meant they had their suspicious.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

BESIDES the anticipated outbreak of wal
between Greece and Turkey, there are the
rumblings of an approaching contest be-
tween Austria and Russia about the division
OF the territorial spoils consequent on the
almost certain humiliation of Turkey. In
the event of hostilties between Austria and
Russia, it is believed that Germany would
take the part of the defeated of Sadowa.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
General Arthur and the Desperate.

When Billy Wilson was raising his notori-
Gus zouave regiment of ronghs during the war;
the members composing it were acting very
badly in New York, and Gov. Morgan ordered
Gen. Arthur, who was acknowledgement,
to stop their misconduct. Arthur summoned
Billy to his office. The desperate responsive
ly staggered in wearing his uniform as a
colonel, and listened contemptuously to the
warning that Arthur gave him. At length he
insolently retorted: Neither you nor the
governor has anything to do with me, for I'm
colonel in the United States service, am
and you've no right to order me- Arthur in
formed him he was not a colonel yet, because
his regiment was not full, and no commission
had been issued. "Well I've got my shoulder
straps on" said Billy, "and as long. as wear
them, l don't take no orders from you fell
lows" Arthur was just as burly then as now,
and far more active. "We'll make short work
of your shoulder straps" he cried, us he seized
the offender, tore off his straps, threw him
into chair and ordered him under arrest.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

NEW YORK Tribune: There isn't much
of campaign on either side yet and there
is not likely to be much systematic work
done for some time yet. The weather will
have the field mostly to itself for the present.
But while there is little real canvassing in
progress the people are doing good deal of
quiet thinking. The more they reflect the
stronger will the Republican cause become
The election of Garfield means the continu-
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

THE new edition of "a FOOLS Errand'' is
to have an appendix of 13 chapters on 'The
Invisible Empire which is Judge Tour
gees title for the secret Ku Klux Klan.
The new edition will also contain a new
chapter in the body of the work, coming in
after the present 10th chapter, and treating
principally of ''Uncle jerry" the victim of
the Ku KluX.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

PIERCE EAGAN, the editor of the London
Journal, weekly story paper, died Wednes-
day in that city, as is announced by cable,
in the Goth year of his age. He has been
for many years favorite draughtsman for
the London Illustrated News, and he has
written a score of novels which have met
with large sales in this and in his own
country
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

CENSUS returns have been received from
number of Texas cities. Galveston has a
population of % $50; popula ton in 1870 49,
S1S; increase, S,432; per cent. 81. Austin
has 10,500; in 1870, 4,42S; increase, 6,O72; ;
per cent, 1871. Hous on, 1850; in 1870,
1882; increase, 6,36S; per cent. 81. San An
tonic, 21 800; in 1870, 2,256; increase, 9,544
per cent. II.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

tion of the present successful policy and the
continuation of prosperity. The election of
Hancock means the adoption of a totally
unknown policy, which will be dictated by
party which has steadily opposed the pres
ent policy. In short, the country has never
voted to change the politics of its rulers in
time of great prosperity, and it is not 60
ing to make the mistake of doing so this
YEAR
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

THE Philadelphia Press thinks that in
view of the poor success of the Democrats
of Pennsylvania in drawing Republican
votes to Greeley in 1872 the Democrats need
not hope to capture many Republican votes
for Hancock
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

SECRETARY Thompson thinks Indiana is
He does not remember a campaign for years
which was so full of promise for the Repub-
licans as is the present one.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

THE Toronto Globe congratulates the Ca
nadans on the excellent crop prospects
throughout the Dominion. Cereals, except
Spring wheat. are far above lhe average, and
vegetables and fruit promise to unusual
ly abundant.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
THE DAILY PRESS
PORTLAND PUBLISHING CO.,
PORTLAND. ME.
Republican County Convention.

The Republicans of the several cities and towns
of Cumberland County are requested to send Dele
gates to County Convention to be held at Lancas-
ter Hall, Portland, Thursday. July Goth, 1880, at
IL O'Clock a. M, to nominate candidates for the
following offices, to witt -Four Senators, County
Treasurer, County Commissioner, and Sheriff. Also
to elect county committee for the year commencing
january l, 1881 The basis of representation will
be as follows one delegate for each city and town,
and one in addition for each seventy-gve votes for
Governor in 1879. A majority fraction of votes
will be entitled to an additional delegate. Cities
and towns will send delegates as follows:
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
THE PRESS.
MONDAY MORNING. JULY I2.

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. The name and address of the writer in
all cases Indispensable not necessarily for publica
ton but as guaranty Of good faith
We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
munlcatIons tnat are not used.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

THE Democrats have almost persuaded
themselves that they were all at the battle
of Gettysburg. A great many of them
were, but for the most part fighting against
Hancock
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

QUERY by the Pottsville Miners Journal:
"Was the Democratic party right in fighting
Hancock few years ago. or is it right now
in supporting him?"
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

THE Argus is calling for Garfeld's letter
of acceptance. Don't be in hurry. We
had to wait thirty-eight days after the St.
Louis nomination for Tilden's.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

headquarters Lancaster HalD at O'Clock A. NJ.
Convention day, to receive credentials.
ISAAC S. WEBB,
N. A. TRAFTON,
W. S. LOVEJOY,
BENJA. TRUE,
II, +. MILLlKEN,
VIM. OSGOOD,
j. S. PICKETT.
SAML DINGLEY, Chairman.
JOHN M. STEVENS, Secretary Co. Committee.
Portland, July 6, 1880.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with Gard certificate signed by Stanley Pullen
Editor. All railway, steamboat and hotel managers
VIII confer favor upon by demanding credentials
OF every person claiming to represent our journal.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
ViViSection.

Sir William Ferguson said nothing has ever
yet been attained by Vivisection towards miti-
eating pain and suffering in the human race.
The whole system while undergoing the tor,
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
CITY ADVERTISEMENTS
City of Portland.

CITY MARsHAL's OFFICE,
June 26, 1SS0.J
OWNERS of Trucks, Drays, Wagons, Carts or
~ other vehicles which shall be used in this
city for the conveyance, from place to place,
within the city,of wood. coal lumber istone prlcks
nture, Merchandise building material or any other
article or thing whatsoever, are hereby requested
to present their teams for inspection and to receive
their license and numbers for the year commen-
cling July l. 1880, at the Marshals Office, from
the 9Th TO the 18th of July. 1850. failure
to comply with this notice will subject the delin-
quent to a penalty,
C..K BRIDGES, City Marshal:
je2Sdtd
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12
THE PORTLAND DAILY PRESS,
P,b,ished every dsy Sundays excepted} by the
PUBLISHING CO.,

Al iuf, sxoHaSaE sr., PORTLAND.
innss. Sight Dollars a Tear. 3c mail sutecrib-
ers even Dollars Year, If naid In advance
rHE MAINE STATE PRESS
published every THURSDAY MORNING at 81 80 a
year If paid in advance at $500 year.
RATES or AJ,v ERrfslNG: One inch of space, the
length ei column, constitutes square.
ST 80 per square, daily first week; rs GEMS per
Heea after; three insertions less $lOo; continu-
ug every other day after first week, % cents.
Half square, three insertions or less, 10 cents; !;
one week, 81 90: 80 cents per week after.
SPECIAL NOTICES, one-thrd additional.
Under head of "AMUsEMENTs' and "AUCTIoE
SALES $500 per square per week; three inser-
tons or less $1.5O
Advertisements inserted in the "MAINE STATE
PRESS" (Which has large circulation in every part
of the State for 90 per square for first Insertion
and 50 cents per square for each subsequent lnser
ton.
Address all communications to
PORTLAND PUBLISHING CO.
The Portland daily press., 1880-07-12

MO person shall in any way fasten any horse, or
IN other animal to any Of said trees, or allow
stand SO near to the same that they may be
pnawed or otherwise injured by any horse or other
animal SO fastened as permitted t, stand Any per-
son violating any of the provisions of this section
shall be liable to penalty of not less than five, nor
more than fifty dollars, for each offense.
This ordinance will hereafter be strictly enforced
ano6dtf CITY FORESTER.