davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
The Eel.

Ihe eel. like the catfish, lives in the
mud on the river bottoms, and many
methods are adopted to ocapture the slippery
wriggiing fellow. The bob is merely a
bunch OF common ground-worms, knit
upon string with needle. Eel-spearing
is also favorite pastime with many, but
as 1t requires wading in mud and water to
hunt out his habitation, it is withal dis
agreeable and dirty. The eel is very tena-
cious of life. and can be kept for many
days after being caught. His home is
under the stumps, in the hollows, in mud
banks, around the bridge and wharf
plllngs, and under punches of long river
grass. The usual method employed to
take tie eel is with the float, or ''cork"
line. The ine-of hemp-is from eight
to twelve feet long, with small hook and
sinker OF lead. The float may be either of
wood, cork or quill. The hook should be
three inches above the sinker, the latter
lying on the bottom. The float should
be adjusted in such a manner, after the
depth of water has been ascertained, so
that it will SWIM In perpendicular posi-
ton on the surface. Worms are acknow-
ledged to be the best bait for fioat-lines,
and it should be firmly fastened on the
hook, as the peculiar shape of the mouth
of the eel enables it to strip the worm from
the hook by sucking. The bite of the eel
is succession of gentle nibbles, and it is
difficult to tell at times that you have
hooked one.
Fine wire may lie substituted for the
hemp line, and it is peculiarly adapted to
eel fishing. Every boy knows from expert
ence, the difficulties and troubles he has
encountered by having the line slimed and
twisted and tied into countless and intri-
cate knots by the contortions of his cap
tive. 1t requires care to keep the wire
from kinking by repeated winding and un-
winding, but it helps to release the hook
from the mouth and obviates the annoyance
of having 10 stop fishing to wash the line or
unravelknots. The cork may be held in posi-
ton on the wire by inserting asmall piece of
stick between the hole in the cork and
wire, or the cork may be entirely dispensed
with, at the optien of the angler. Another
method, and one frequently practiced IN
our local waters, is the ''eel- pot, although
it affords no real amusement beyond the
setting and taking up. An old demUohn,
after having the particles of glass removed
from the willow casing is tied in some
convenient spot over night. A string, with
a few worms or piece of meat tied to it.
is inserted in the mouth. The eel passes
into the mouth and once in he becomes a
prisoner. When it is taken up in the
morning, you are frequently rewarded for
your pains by securing six or eight eels.
rhe most effective method of skinnlng an
eel is to roll it violently in the sand. This
loosens the skin; then, with knife, make
an incision near the head, grasping the
head in the left hand, seize the skin with
the right one, and pull hard but regularly,
and it will come off without difficulty.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
Torpedo Balloons.

\ scientific gentleman warns the country
and the Government, of new and terrible
engine of war that may possibly come INTO
use and against which New YORK would be
utterly defenceless. 1t is the torpedo bal
loon. A vessel lying out of reach f any
of the forts, coulG take advantage of fayor-
ing breezes to set adrift, without aercnauts,
small balloons, each carrying fifty pounds
OF nitro-glycerine, the explosive to be
dropped by well known and cheap me-
chalical contrivance at such time as may
be determined upon after the distance and
the velocity of the wind have been esti-
mated. 1t will readily be seen that YES
sci barely in sight of land, and after only
the rudest calculations could not send out
any such fiendish missiles without doing
great damage TO life and property some
where within the great area covered by
New York, Brooklyn and Jersey City. IL
IS poor comfort to think thas other large
cities of the world aro equally exposed 10
such terrors, and even London aud Paris
are not far enough from the seaboard to es-
cape harm. A general agreement between
civilized Powers, such rs was made re-
garding explosive bullets, should promptly
nip this danger in the bud, but until thus is
done the safety of New York, Boston,
Savannah, Charleston and other seaboard
cities should be secured against such dam
gers by the strengthening of our navy to an
extent tnat would allow strong force to
patrol the waters outside our important
sesports, keeping dangerous visitors at a
distance or disposing of them at sight. AT
prt sent, our naval force is so small and
scattered that the most Insignificant Power
that owns single war ship and chose IL
be ugly, could, in few hours, destroy
property costing as much as fifty new
naval vessels would.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
Praying on n Race Tiack-

In the late hurdle race at Brighton
Beach, Coney Island, one of the horses
named L. l.. was mounted by a lad named
Kearns, who had worked around the stables
for few weeks He had never ridden in
but one hurdle race previous to yesterday.
When he reached the Dackstretch L. L.
was third in the race. Leaping a hurdle
his feet caught in the top and he went over
ir somersault, Kearns striking his head
first on the track and the horse falling on
him. The horses following dashed over
the hurdle, while a chorus of ''0hsl" arose
from the crowd on the other side of the
track The horse soon rose and walked
away, but his rider lay motionless IN the
dirt. Many thought he was dead, and a
string of Jockeys, stable boys and ldlers
started across the field towards the boy. In
the line lowered the tall form of young
Father Dougherty. With the natural love
of his countrymen for horse-racing he had
been watching the equine contests. When
the Father came to where tie boy lay,
with his bloody face turned to the sky and
his lilac and red colors covered with dirt,
he saw that the boy was insensible and ap-
parently dying. Requesting the jockeys,
stable boys and others to kneel down the
reverend father offered up prayer for tie
bow. amounting him an performing other
services of his Church for the dying. The
scene was strikingly impressive. Horse
men and riders who had never knelt IN
nraver before obeyed the reques; OF the
Father. their bronzed, earnest and hard
faces softening in sympathy for the crushsd
;ockev All this was unknown to the
crowd ON the quarter-stretch and grand
stand. Shortly afterward Jockey re,
turned to the crowded stretch and remarked
to companion: Il guess Kearns viii die,
for thew all kneeled on the track ana
nraved for him over there.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
IINON IA OU NNA.WED R29N

'.' hdson came in His eyes rested an in
a'an' iongingly on the apple blossoms: but
'iie next moment he drew back, asking
coidiy, did you wish to see megn
les, 'eorge. answered Edison, finger
ing the flowers awkwardly, 81 came TO see
ABOUT that matter-that-that nronertv
you know. It's a pity we should quarrel
ABOUT 1t nd-and-well, | don't care
You're the Oldest and had the hardest row
70 noe always, and l guess likely there was
iuily my snare spent on me when was in
college; and see mere, old fellow FL do
whatever you say if you'll speak to your
ia~yer and send him up to my office"
There was moments silence, and the
young Edison, looking down. saw his
brother put his hand to his throat "a if he
were choking. The next moment the elder
spoke almost as awkwardly as his brother
had done.
1T wasn't the money / cared for. but
out l wanted the old place well, had
some associations with it."
The young brother started. Associatiousl
What associations of pleasure could George
have with the placer There was none
could be none except those with Lucy
Baird, who had been for one short year his
own wife, now laid away in Greenwood.
lie sprang forward, George, did YOU care
for her? You could have won her if YOU
had tried, and you knew 1t. She cared for
me first because was your brother. Did
do you mean to say you have gave up
the chance of winning her for mei''
For minute or two the Edsons might
as well have been couple of Frenchmen
meeting after long separation. The elder
was the first TO recover himself.
There, there, John" he said, exactly
The same way he used to speak when they
were boys together, ave been hard, but
you see | never had a wife to soften me,
and | intended to pay you for your share of
the property at first but-well, it's no use
talking 1t over. OF course you didn't know,
but l kept thinking you might have known
if you wanted to. But there, never mind
that now. Did you know that Midland
bonds are going upl I'll make a good
thing out of them yet"
Il can't stay" answered Edson. opening
the door, but I'll see You again. Come
up to dinner with HE, won't you:"
Il will,' answered the brother, heartily,
and with cordial hand-shake they part
ed.
The younger brother went straight home
and put the precious branch of apple bios
SONS, which had been q divining-rod to
him showing where the richest treasure of
brothers love lay hidden, into glass and
set it where he could see it often. The
older as ne turned to his desk again saw
three petals lying on the floor. He hesita-
ted a moment, and then stopped and quick
ly gathered them up, layirg them reverent-
ly in his pocket-book.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
MY OLD BONE.

The pump is broken, the chain Is rusty.
And the water, once pure. is fetid and mustv.
The robin that sung on the odding spray.
Grew weary of silence and flew away:
The brambles have covered the ivy vine.
And in through the shattered windows tyine.
The stoor is broken and fallen down.
And covered with moss Is the threshold brown
The storm sweeps wild through the open door
And the rank weeds spring through the broker
or;
The roof is IS len ont aud in
The swallows llt 49, twilight dim
Tie apple tree stands BY the garden wall
And in its dead branches. knotty and tall,
Hans the rod We threw in childish glee.
To knock the apples from the tree;
The tree is dead, and on the hill
Tue restless feet in death are still
And in the home that once Was mine.
When l was young ana in my prime,
There's nothing to me that seems the same
But the babbhng brook at the foot of the lane,
Which as II murmurs, seems to cay
You and YOUR home are old and gray.
o. faces fair oh, hearts SO strong
Ye in the grave have lain so long.
And vet l almost seem to hear
Your merry voices ringing clear,
Happy and glad. full OF joys
We're tie DAYS when We were girls and bows
Goodbye, old home in the shadows dim
IL sadly sing my evening hymn
That We sang together when We were young,
And the path OF life had just begun,
The path is ended by all save me,
And with my lost ones soon shan be.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
Wetttng the Ropes.

When the immense obelisk, which
stands in the Square Of st. Peters at Rome,
was to be erected, it was found that its
elevation required the most powerful mach
inery and the highest skill in engineering.
Thousands assembled to witness the achiev-
ment, and in order TO prevent any Inierfer-
sence with the work, the Pope issued
special bull, int1icting a heavy penalty
upon any one vino should speak before the
engineer announced the great work was
accomplished and all danger was over.
Slowly the massive column rose, as round
and round the windlasses were whirled.
The crowd pressed in, gazing with silent
admiration. 1t is near to its place-a few
feet more now a few inches only, and it
will stand for ages But suddenly it stops.
The strain upon the ropes has been greater
than the engineer expected-they relax.
They refuse TO carry the mass anyfarther-
nay even TO told it where it is. Il sways
with threatening motion. The crowd is
paralyzed with awe-the engineer is be-
ide himself. 1t is fearful moment. But
bark cry. An English sailor, watching
the scene, and in hIs excitement, forgetting
the dreadful bull, shouts aloud. ''Wet
the ropes THAT lawless order was instant
ly obeyed. Water was dashed upon the
cables. At once they became strong and
taut again, and soon the column, which
threatened to crush the crowd below, was
firmly fastened in its place. 1t is needless
to add that the sailor was pardoned and re-
warded ins'ead Of being punished.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29

A little old man known around the foot
OF Woodland avenue, Detroit, as 'John
was hunted out in the office where he
works by a stranger, who said he came
from Oswego and had news to conf
municate. The news was nothing less than
the death of Johns brother by drowning.
and the stranger happened to be on hand to
witness. Old John stood for few minutes
as if trying to realize the flu extent of the
calamity. and then remarked;
Poor George, hadn't heard from him
in ten years You say he fell off the
wharf"
"Yes; he was pIling humber, and his foot
ing gave away and he went into the water. :"
''Did he fall quite easyl"
Il guess so. | don't think the fall hurt
HIM any
GLOW many times did he rise to the sur
face before going down to stay?"
"Twice, l think
''Do you think he had his senses.''
"Oh, yes"
''And from where you stood you could
have heard all he saidl"
''Oh, yes l was not q hundred feet
away"
'.Now then," continued old John as he
braced up and got new hold of his shovel
handle, ''wIll you answer me something in
confidence?"
Il will"
Then, sir, tell me if my poor brother
hurrahed for Hancock or Garfield before he
went down the last time."
This struck the stranger for a minute,
but he answered by saying that George
didn't hurrah for either of the candidates
as he heard.
Maybe not-maybe not, sighed the old
man-''maybe he was what they call on the
fence and didn't know whether to yell with
the Dimocrats or holler with the Rep-ubli-
cans. Poor George. I'm bit sorry he didn't
put himself on recordl''
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
n. G..

A little round-shouldered man with a
large beak nose and long black hair stood
before the railing ef the Police Court
in New York, in pair of shoes which
had recently been introduced to- each
other. The prisoner was informing a
court officer that the country roads were
in good condition for walking, when
MS remarks were interrupted by Justice
Smith.
Richard Tub, who are youi" asked
His Honor
swell, Jedge," said the little man, ''I
might be wire puzzle peddler or boss
millionaire, but l amt. Who dye s'pose
| ann"
HIS Honor gave it up.
''Why, I'm Dick Tub a wanderin' tourist,
wot hain't got nothin' to do but travel tor
my health. l worked in Chicago for q
while, but made so much meney had to
stop SOS could spend It."
"You must be getting richln
That's where yer heads level. I've
been collectin' the dust in heaps right along.
My clothes are full of it. Why. I've walked
all the way from Oil City to New York by
way of Ere"
Took roundabout way, didn't youl"
Kinder You don't get me In Jersey if
| know myself. would not be caught
there for good deal. I'm too well posted
On the law. Cold wittles and sleepin' in
hayloft suits me well enough 'thout run
min myself In Jersey Jail for six months.
P'r'aps the melons amt good, and maybe
| havn't prospected SOS to know where
they're getting ripe"
Studying farming, no Doubt"
That's just it, Jedge. l never see a
man like you. Why yer seem ter read my
thoughts like book. Yer orter hear the
of some jedges."
''Oh, then you have been in Court before2"
''Only few times"
Richard, I'm afraid you're hard case, y
said Justice Smith. ''N hat have you to say
to the charge of drunkenness and vagran-
cyl"
I'm n. G. for sure
80 thought. You can prepare to de-
vastate the melon patches for fifteen days
on the Island"
As the prisoner was led away he mutter-
ed mOurnfully. That's just the way. We
amt got ejucated men on the bench. Any
man orter know that N. G. stands for mot
guilty"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
Executed on His Wedding Day.

On the 22d of August a melancholy mar
rage cerem Jny was celebrated in the prin
cipal jail of Madrid. Some days previous
ly young man named Alvarez Olivia and
his mistress, with whom he had lived for
several years, were tried for murder by the
criminal tribunals in the Palacio de Justiz,
and having been proved guilty, were SEN
fenced, the former TO death by the garote,
the latter to ten years Imprisonment with
hard labor. Shortly after the condemns-
ton they craved permission of the authori-
ties to be united in matrimony ere the dread
sentence of the law should be carried into
effect, in order that their only child, little
girl five years old, should be legitimized.
Their petition was granted, and the jail
chaplain pronounced the blessing of the
church upon their union on the morning of
the day appointed for Alvarez's S execution.
Having duly exchanged rings and pro-
nounced VOWS of mutual fidelity ''tlll death
should part them," they took an eternal
and affectionate leave of one another, after
which the bride was removed to the scene
of her future punishment, and the BRIDE
groom was conducted to the condemned
cell, where, having confessed ms sins and
received absolution, he was pinioned and
conveyed 10 the scaffold. A few minutes
later he had ceased to live. Surely no
grimmer expiation Of capital offense
has ever been suffered by the most atrocious
of criminals than 10 be inexorabiy strangled
on hIs wedding morning by the public exc
cutioner.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
simpsonburg's Conandrum.

S;mnsonsburg is not noted for his actiV-
;,v. nnite the contrary. At the club the
other evening he got up energy sulncien' e'
~ rronound a conumdrum. SAID ne
~ ..Rovs. why am like torpedoF 5 AFTER
having recovered from the shock produceu'
hr M Simpsonsburg's unwonted activity lhe
g;,esses u flowed in quick succession Jones Is
.hought il was because torpedo IS lGii oi
emnty noise; but that was not right, onnp
ennp,Irg en said. Neither was Robinson : ;
~rass that il was because torpedo doesn
saw anything when it speaks omlln 'ilSu ~
- say III an ont a pun on torpedo, torpid Oh,
10, 10 vs." failed miserably. Everybody began
~ % ,ook sick. Then Brown tired. ne salu az.
!, 70 1Tss ,os because a torpedo was not gooa lOr
!. nn~tbing w till its neck was twisted ,lr simp
aoDbnrr am shook his head with solae;Irs ne;S !,
son Sonou ansu,ation. One of the boys sala IL !.
las llne hecauso it was a relief when aSs el.nef
vent msn off and another venturea .d tne sis MS
wen. U,,, ,ndertone, that it was blasted NUS
~ nnoe az Finally Simpsonburg mao 70 ,on ~,
~nlee; ~ he could contain hlmsen sc vas uU full
su o- He said it was because ne ,;d1v. was %
e ger snan The boys yswned lang Siu,n' Siy
" "nsrT one of them acknowiedgeu ~ r,,assed ur
ever, yrg ~ that he should never have sJesT.O sst;IT
s0r Which pleased simpsonourg h"
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29

fragments of quartz, which had been used
as ornaments A flint spear-head was
picked up far back in tine cave, imbedded
In the clay. How it came there is mys-
terry, unless some Indian, entering the cave
and finding wild beast there, attacked it,
aud this spear, hurled at the animal, miss
ing its aim, sped far back into the recesses
and there remained until found by the
scientists. No other traces of any kind
which would indicate that the portion of
the cave in which the spear-head was found
had been visited by man or beast were dis
covered, and hence the theory as to how it
came in the lonely spot. Dr.. Leidy has
taken his specimens along with him, and
will make report of his discovery to the
scientific world in due time. AS yet the
lower deposit has not been removed, and
it is thought it will reveal more interesting
facts for the scientists than the middle
layer. The cave has been explored to
depth of one hundred and fifty feet, and
one can with ease walk the first one hund-
red feet. After that STOPPING is required
at times. The indications are that the part
thus explored is only hallway, from
which entrances can be made, after the
earth and deposits have been removed, to
larger and more remote chambers, which
already appeared at different points. The
top of the cave is limestone arch, which
reflects many brilliant colors when the
light of the torches flash upon 1t.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29

Nature describes and illustrates asim-
pie experiment involving the elementary
principle Of the centre OF gravity which Is
capable of evoking roars Of laughter at a
dinner table If dish of snipe has been
served up, the head with its long besk may
be fixed in cork; and then two forks
being thrust into the sides of the cork and a
needle having been fixed into the lower
end of it, the cork can be balanced upon a
coin lald on the top Of a wine bottle, and
can be spun slowly around while the
snipe's head mods at the various members
of the company in turn, and finally stops
opposite one of them. By making a slit
at the bottom of this cork, putting in a
silver quarter, and balancing this upon
the point of needle which rises out OF
another cork in the neck of the bottle the
Apparently impossible feat of spinning q
q twenty-five cent piece on the point of q
needle can Be performed with the creates,
ease.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
That Span New Umbrella.

If all the flustered grandpas and grand
mas knew how much they contribute to the
humor of common life and the keen enjoy
ment of children by the fun they innocent
ly make while hunting for their spectacles
while they are all the time perched on their
heads, they would often be quite reconciled
to such mistakes. A victim of the same
description was a good old lady who had
just finished her shopping in one of the
Boston dry goods stores.
.sTherel" she cried, in an excited voice,
II should like to know what's become of
that ambrlll sot it up agin the counter
when come IN, and afore | could turn
round it's gUne-and it was only on Mon
day that GIN four and six fort"
.'What kind of an umbrella was it,
ma'am7" asked the polite clerk in his
blandest tones.
"a spick and span new gingham, young
man." was the response, with an iv'ry
handle ont and a."
''Like the one In your hand, maam, for
instsnceS"
"Sakes alive7" she exclaimed. And one
might have thought she saw serpent
rather than her own ''spick and span
gingham," with 'fv'ry handle" clutched
fast in her hand. She colored up like a
druggists window, and went off amidst
unintelligible excuses. She never felt SC
flustered in all her days, ss she told Jemimi
Ann when she got home.
Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-09-29
"CaH Again john"

The politest man by all odds IN Montana
is Helena merchant. At b > sore Gus
toners get Il larger average Of salutations
of mouth and motion, Of words, smiles,
bows, and scrapes than elsewhere in all the
great trade circles of the Northwest. His
patrons hail from every walk in life, and
from every race of people, and pOlIteness
lavishly dispensed to all Is wasted only oc-
casIonly upon the few. An exceptional
case the other day was an almond-eyed
Mongolian, who entered and called for an
article in the merchants line of trade.
"a dollar and half, john" with the
usual smile and bow and all the rest.
'.Doilee two BITS" said the heathen.
"A dollar and halt, John" seriously as
before.
"a dolce two bits" repeated the
Chinee.
"a dollar and half, john" reiterated
the merchant, amblisg outside the counter
and interceptlng the retreating customer.
Reaching for the heat.en's ear, the mer-
chant nearly lifted him OF the floor, and
vigorous application OF shoe leather landed
him in hurry on the sidewalk followed
by the polite salutation al parting, 'Good
day, John call again, john"