davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
Bunaloes and Military Tractics.

eyes, sir, caught these buffaloes when
they were calves; got the prairie dogs when
they were puppies; the antelope when it
wasn't as big as kitten, and the prairie
wolf when the eyes were scarcely open.
They are all over four years old now, and |
trained them myself"
The speaker was John Richardson, who
for ten years had been serving Uncle Sam
as a private soldier at Forts ID. A Russell,
Harker, Wallace and other outposts on the
Indian fronties. He varied the idleness of
garrison life by studying the habits of the
prairie animals and as a result he has been
able not only to make pets of three buffa-
loes-a cow with two calves, bull and a
heifer-an antelope, prairie wolf and a
prairie dog, but also to bring them into a
tolerable condition of training. Recently
he landed them in this city and
proceeded with them to the farm of James
Archer, near Fordham, where they will be
kept until he can give an exhibition.
''What can the buffaloes do2 asked the
Herald reporter.
"Well, would hate to tell you without
proving it; because you thing I'm boasting.
Well we have little exhibition soon as
feed 'em. You see they've been on the
cars since Thursday, when / started from
Leavenworth. had the buffaLoes out at
Rochester, and like enough they're scared
and won't obey first-rate."
The prairie dog nestled on his masters
shoulder, the wolf sneaked at his heels and
the antelope walked alongside the buffaloes,
all of them responding to their masters
voice by following him through the stock
yard of the New York Central railroad.
Then they were fed-the buffalo with
hay, the antelope with twigs of spruce and
grass, the prairie wolf with great bone
and the dog with apple.
When they were through with their meal
Mr.. Richardson called out E'Fall in!" At
once the buffaloes stood facing him and
formed in line accordingly to size. The
antelope took position as file closer, while
the wolf, refusing to take part in the drill,
got a beating, and skunk off into corner
where he whined piteously.
He is very disobedient, and will parade
only occasionally. control him 10y fear.
The rest, except the antelope, are very do
cile, and he isn't wild. l taught him to
stand always behind the line. Now you
see got these things and | made pets of
them. 1 didn't intend to train them for
anything but fun.
"Being myself a soldier ], naturally
enough, taught them Upton's tactic, so far
as they can be adopted for three big shoul-
dered brutes like Topsey, General Custer
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01

and Meadow Grass. The heifer is Meadow
Grass. Fours right say fours, but its
really threes-marchl"
Immediately the unwiedly Meadow Grass
began TO wheel, the others keeping the
alignment by moving more slowly until
the front had been changed. "Halt right
dress !" and the great shaggy beasts turned
their heads and eyes to the right, and
waited for the order 'Front!" Then camo
"Fours left =" ''Fours right about :"
1.-TWO left and rights - ''Three step to
the rear!" and score of orders intelliglble
only to military man. All obeyed with
promptitude and intelligence. Finally,
the order was given, Forward, double
turn, march !" and at once the trio, follow
ed closely by the antelope, started of at q
sharp ruT;, and halted the word.
"Perquita," said Richardson, speaking Of
the prairie dog, is sick. lie has been sick
ever since he got out of Kansas. But he
shall turn q summersault for you. Here,
Perquita; over march -
AT the word the quaint little animal
threw half handspring that would have
done honor TO trained athlete.
1t is Richardson's intention TO give ex-
hibitions of the chase of the buffalo, as the
Indians do it with bow and arrows and to
that end he has brought with him a mus
tang and bow, with blunt arrows. 81 use
blunt arrows because ] wouldn't hurt my
Meadow Grass, would l {" and the master
put his arm caressingly over the shaggy
neck of the heifer, while she responded by
affectiOnatly rubbing his hand with her
nose
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
The Travellers Trunks.

There was an odd genius, but not at all
odd as TO his utter disregard of an econom-
ical preservation of his income, who was
once ornamental, and to a certain extent
useful upon the Philadelphia stage. He is
of the police of Baltimore. Jack came
from an express Office upon the stage. He
was an incorrigible joker. One Summer
it was his last upon the stage-being out of
an engagement, he came here in search of
''snap." OF course he wasn't flush of
funds But he was we'll dressed and as
airy as a prince. He "gunned" around for
hotel or place whereat he could abide in
comfort. He tonnd one, genteel and reason
able in charge. The landlord was all smiles.
He gave him fine room. ''Where is your
baggage-your trunks2" They'll be here
this evening" For fortnight Jack Jared
sumptuously. The landlord had again and
again suggested payment, until at the end
of two weeks he became obstinate and
savage. 81 want your bill" said tue irate
host. ''No more promises-the money or
your room. You have deceived me, sir.
Where are your trunks-the baggage you
said you had?" "Sir," said Jack, my trunks
are here! They've been here ever since
have" ':Eh-oh, ho! Well, sir, where
are they?" said the landlord a little molli-
fed at the prospect of security. ASK
your clerk, sir, at the office, said Jack, lof-
tily. "And, sir, you can retain them for
your beggarly bill-if you choose. !"
''Wait," said the landlord, starting for his
office. ale hasn't any baggage" said the
clerk, except this paper. which he left
here the day he came ''The lying,
swindling-Iet me see that parcel" The
landlord grasped it, tore it open, and saw
the ''point." 1t contained a pair of old
velvet stage trunks-part of shape suit.
These were the ''trunks" Jack called bag
gage. Next day Jack caught ''snap,"
and started off on the road He sent a
note to the landlord requesting him to be
careful and not break the locks of those
trunks, as he might 'want to wear 'em
some day"
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
Painting.

Here is the foundation for two or more
coats Of paint. The first coat upon the
wood is called the printing. This may be
made little thinner than thick cream by
the addition of more linseed oil. Some
painters add spirits turpentine to the pri-
ming, but it is not best for outside work,
even in the priming coat, and it is ruinous
for the outer coats, as it causes the paint
to soon cut all to pieces in the weather and
rub off like lime whitewash. Spirits tur-
pentine is often put largely in outside work
by dishonest painters, %, if they furnish
the paint themselves, because it cost less
than linseed oil, and (2), because it makes
their work dry with greater rapIdity. The
farmer doing his own painting will not be
apt to find himself in any great hurry about
the drying, but If he does he can make the
paint dry fast and yet be all right by adding
to it, at the mixing, small quantity of
what they have for sale at the paint shops
under the name of 'Japan gold size. ="
The second coat Of paint mus never be
put on until the first coat or printing is en-
tirely dry and hard. If you desire to put
on third coat prepare your paint exactly
as for the second coat Be very careful
NV w EOb .1Oul pbillL wv blllu anu bClOIC
putting on the third coat, make sure that
the second coat is perfectly dry. For in
side work you take your lead from the keg,
and mix it to the consistency of cream with
turpentlne alone Some painters apply it
IN this condition; but if it be used about
the house, great advantage will be found to
come of the addition of one half pint light
colored coach varnlsh to every gallon of
paint. This gives it a peculiar hardness,
and makes it so that one may wash it thor
oughly with soap suds and not damage it
in the least. This, it must be borne in
mind, is for a second or third coat the
wood must first have been primed the
same as for outside work, though the pri-
ming may be mixed with turpentine instead
of linseed oil, yet small proportion of oil
improves it. A very beautiful finishing
paint for inside work is made by mixing
zinc white (Which is something similar to
white lead) in damar varnish, and reducing
it to working consistency with turpentine.
This imparts bright gloss to the work !;
but you will find it more troublesome to
put on smoothly than any of the other prep
arations.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
Household System.

The sooner q young housewife remem-
bers that there are but seven days in the
week, and that in that period Of time con-
sists one revolution of the household,
washing day being the central sun, and
baking day and sweeping day being, as it
were, planetary affairs, but eXerting tidal
influences, the sooner she will come into
her kingdom and reign undisturbed by her
people. Custom fortunately fixes one day
of the seven for washing day in this land,
although in some lands across the sea that
fearful epoch arrives, with a fifty times
multiplied power, but once or twice year,
with an importation of white-capped wo-
men into the family to celebrate its rites
through an unnamed period till all is
over. And washing being fixed, of course,
ironing day is its most immediate satellite.
If for the rest, the young housekeeper
makes up her mind that cne day shall never
infringe upon the orbit of another, that
baking day shall be fixed feast, mud
sweeping day an immovable feast, and that
the silver and the closets shall now and for
ever be cleaned upon their own day and no
other, there will be a code established that
will keep things straight as long as she lives
and rules her house. Her work will roll
off her hands, if she does it herself, with
half the wear of body and soul that it usu-
ally takes; and If she has servants, she may
fall sick, she may go away, she may have
a score of distractions or of other occupa-
tions-the house will never SHOW it; and
whether, like the good woman of the Pre-
verbs, strength and honor are her clothing
OF not, she will certa;-" "-Hioice in tune
to come.n
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01

lightly-see," and he struck it softly as it
lay in his palm, and, marvellous to behold,
it cracked and parted as the stone had done,
directly in the middle of the sphere. In
the centre os the ball (whosc surface was
very thin, was small flat roll of rough
paper.
Upon unfolding it we found that it had
writing upon it, Something hard was in
its folds which slipped out and rolled over
the table. it was a jewelled ring. We
seized it, looked upon it, and wondered.
A very large brilliant diamond in the form
of a star, in q quaint old setting, surmount-
ed the ring, and we turned now and read
the scrawled writing, which il was difficult
to decipher. Cecil at last read it aloud.
This is to certify that |, Leftie Skrine,
wife of Hale Shrine, stole from the house
of Leohard Castenwell, of -, York
shire, England, this family heir-loom, the
crown star diamond ring, commonly worn
by the proud daughter of the house,
Amelia Castenwell. l stole 1t to revenge
myself for her naughty treatment of me
and mine who sought TO predict TO her the
fortunes of her house. l wish to make
confession before | die, but wish it only
known by her descendants that did so.
repeat here my prediction, uttered to her,
and which will prove true, as time will
show, thong she saw fit to gainsay it. The
| blood of the CastenwellS, of -, \ orE-
shire, will mingle with that of our tribe
within the next hundred years
lSignedl 'LEFrIE SKRINR."
At the conclusion of this reading my
husband sat down aghast. This then is
our family diamond, the loss of which my
grandmother, the naughty Amelia Casten-
well, mourned up to the time of her death
1t is of great intrinsic value, and was pre-
sented to one of our remote titled ancestors
by a member of the royal family, rs the
reward of valiant action in their defense ="
''And the Gypsy's prophesy has proven
true, your blood has mingled with that of
her tribe, and within one hundred years. :"
My husband smiled, ahd looked by no
means miserable at this reminder.
SHOW strange that you have never sub
mitted this stone to chemist. l think
he could have discovered the line of
division"
''My father once did, but though the
chemist was an eminent one, he made no
discovery, but pronounced it a solid
stone"
Later on, my husband exposed the stone
to friend of his, geologist, who told
him it had beeh rendered thus firmly adj
hesive by the use of an invisible cement,
which, on account of its enduring qualities,
oHght, hundred years ago, to have been u
fortune to its inventor. He also said, had
it remained in the more humid atmosphere
of England, it would, without doubt, have
separated much sooner, and that its return
to that atmosphere had fastened that ac-
ton
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
Sponges.

The sponge may be found in the various
subtropical waters of the world. The
principal sponging grounds of the United
States are the waters around Key West
and along the western coast of Florida,
from Tampa Bay on the south to Pensacola
on the northeast. The sponge schooners
have two places to clean their sponges when
coast spopging. Ono at Anclote Keys, the
other at Rock Island. OF the sponge there
is several varieties, classed according TO
their marketable value as ''sheep wool, !"
yellow" fox glove, grass" ETC., be-
sides one class, 'loggerhead, which has
no value, and is not thought worth picking
up. The frst-named is the variety mostly
sought, as it bears the best market price.
The most of the vessels engaged in the
sponge trade are owned and fitted out at
Key West. The outfit of sponge schooner
consists in number Of long poles with
hooks fastened on the end for gathering
and from three TO seven small boats called
''Dingys, from seven to fifteen men, with
provisions from eight TO twelve weeks,
water glasses, &c. Having curiosity to
see actual sponge gathering, last bright
morning found me aboard the schooner
"Samfiler," spinning towards the bars
but owing to light winds during the day
we did not arrive till after nightfall. The
next morning, however sponging COM
menced in earnest Shortly after sunrise the
''dingys," manned by two men each, with
water glasses, sponge hooks, etc, set off in
quest of spongeS. One OF the men in the
''dlngy' sculls the boat about here and
there, while the other, lying across the
boats thwart with his head in the water
glass, scans the bottom for sponges The
water glass used by the spongers is moth
ing but common deep wooden pail, with
a circular pane of glass for bottom.
Placing this upright IL the water, aud put
ting the head in far enough TO exclude
most of the light, one can easily see an
object on the bottom in six or seven faith
oms of water The sponger, when he sees
sponge, by the waying-of his hand directs
the sculler how 10 60, and when in a de-
sirable position he thrusts his long pole
down and hooks his spongs. The vessels
usually remain out upon the bars from
Monday until Friday evening of each week,
coming into the Keys Friday night, in
order to clean the sponges which they had
gathered the week previous, put those gath
put their wood and water on board
and prepare forthe next week. The sponges
which they gather one week are put in
crawls or pens, made by driving posts into
the sand, where, at low water, they will be
quite or almost dry. Here they are left
until the next Saturday TO be washed by
the tides. On the following Saturday they
are cleansed by striking them one or two
light blows with paddle. When the
sponges are cleaned, they are taken aboard
the schooner and strung on strings usually
about five and half feet long, when they
are thrown upon the beach to bleach and
dry. The number of vessels engaged in
sponging from Key West probably reaches
l25, gathering sponges to the value of
about 500, 600 annually. Besides the
Key West schooners, we have about forty
or fifty fitted out from Cedar Keys aud
Oglockney.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
The Fines. Diamonds In the world.

Western sovereigns are not the posses
sors of the finest diamonds in the world, for
the Rajahs of Manton, Borneo and the Shah
of Persia have the largest hitherto known.
The one belonging to the Emperor of the
Monguls weighed 279 carats (about four
grains each), and was valued at / 2, 900, 900
francs. The famous Orlo1f, the property of
the Russian crown, is one of the most re-
markable diamonds, on account Of the
well-known circumstances under which it
was brought to Europe. The large stone
belonging to the Emperor of Brazil, which
weighs l, 730 carats, would be worth many
millions were not its brilliancy diminished
by certain defects. The Sultan of Miami s
diamond weighs 400 carats; that of the
Emperor of Austria 20 grains; and that of
the King of Portugal 25t gains, The ia
nous Koh-i-noor, or Mountain of Light, is
the property of the Queen Of England.
The one which adorned the tiara of Plus
IN, and was bequeathed by him to his
successor, Leo XIII, is one of the finest
stones known. 1t came from the treasury
of the Duke of Burgundy, seized at Gran
som. 1t was sold after the battle to a Jew
of Berne, for crowns, then successively
for 5000 and 5000 ducats, and afterward
purchased for IA, 900 by Luigi Sforza, from
whom it passed into the hands of Pope Ju-
lius III. for 10000 ducats. Every one
knows that the Regent, Of the weight
of 1876 carats, is the finest diamonds belong
ing to the French regalia. ConnOisseurs
consider it to be worth II, 900, 900 francs.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
Seeds.

At the last meeting of the British associa-
ton, Sir John Lubbock read an interesting
paper on seeds. He commenced by calling
attention to the difference presented by
seeds, some being large, some small, some
covered with hooks, some provided with
hairs, some smooth, some sticky, etc. He
gave the reasons of these peculiarities, and
then spoke of the modes of dispersion, by
means of which seeds secured sort of natu-
raj rotation of crops, and in other cases were
enabled to rectify their frontiers. Some
plants actually threw their seeds, some were
transported by the wind, and many were
provided with wing which caught the
wind. Dispersion was also effected by the
agency of animals. This means was divid-
ed into two classes, where seeds adhered
to animals by hooks, and where the same
purpose was effected by sticky glands. The
next point touched upon was, that seeds
found themselves in spots suitable for
growth. Most seeds terminated on the
ground, but there were instances, as the
mistletoe, where they were parasitic on
trees. Such seeds were embedded in a
viscid substance, SO that if dropped by g
bird on bough they adhered to it. In
some cases plants buried their own seeds,
and in other instances the seeds buried
themselves, the means by which these
processes were effected being fully explain
ed by Sir John, who, in con-
clusion, called attention to mimick-
ing seeds, such as the scorpIurns, the pcds
of which did not open, but looked so ex-
actly like worms that birds were induced to
peck at them and thus free the seeds. That
this was the purpose of the resemblance he
would not assert, but he threw it out as a
matter for consideration.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
SADDENING DAYS.

The saddening sunshine shone upon the fallen
leaves;
The fallen leaves were crisp, and dead, and
sere;
The noiseless wind, still like a heart that
grieves,
Yet motled he leaves Of the waning year.
A soothing sadness, the sadR ss of beautiful
things,
Came with the breeze, the sunshine and the
leaves.
How many things were down. or gone, like
kings
Uncrown'd, or glistening empty sheaves!
That I should sigh, and sadly see these au-
tumn days,
Now ripe. now sadly dim fade and fall
As falls the leaf, ms falls the flower, promise
Were not strange to ons whose life is past
recall
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
The Sarcastic Tramp.

On the wall of the woodshed which con-
stitutes the station at Dorsey's, on the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, the following
has recently been written in fair con-
mercial hand: 'Bound for Virginia in
search of employment. Lodged here one
night and breakfasted on dandelion salad
and peas-a delightful dish. The polite
attention of the walters at this establish
ment l can not too highly commend to my
followers. Edgar A. Wilkins, of Bristol,
England" The sarcasm of this can be
appreciated when it is remembered that the
dandelions and peas had to be plncked
from a neighboring field, and that nobody
lives within half mile of the station.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01

Our best intentions, even when they
have been most prudently formed, fail
often in their Issue.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01

1t is said that locks with sliders and
lumblers have for centuries been made
- ~ul,iuP
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01

Paris has Al, 900 tobacco shops.
Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-09
SALTWATER.

Heavy frosts Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Hon. E. W. Durant is absent from the city on ten
days business trip.
Sunday school concert at the FIRST Presbyterian
church next Sunday.
finely painted Hfe-size portrait of Commodore
Durant is on exhibition at f. e. Foonis'.
Frsclass dinners at the Chicago restaurant for 25
cents, any time between IL and O'Clock.
Mrs E. W. McCluer, who has been seriously i'll, is
reported as being somewhat better to-day.
The water gauge at the bridge shows depth of
nine feet and six inches above low water mark.
Go to Buloo's, lower Main street, for nobby suit
of clothes. He gets them up in the latest styles.
Chas A. Carson, editor of that excellent monthly,
the PICTURESQUE Northeast, spent yesterday In the
city.
Nc. Lenhoff, of schulenburg's addition, buried a
six-year-old boy yesterday. Cause of death, diph-
iberia.
Jack Lyons has on exhibition at his place curious
piece of mechanism, the work of John Farrell, life
convict at the prison.
VIM Graves leaves on Monday for Clayton, where
he will have charge of the Humbrd mill. He will
take portion of the crew from this city.
The residence of Mr.. Fred steinacker, in the vi
cinity of Lilly lake, was entered by burglar night
or 80 ago. Entrance was effected through an open
window The thief was frightened away, however,
before securing any booty.
team of driving horses attached to light wagon,
owned by Isaac Staples and driven by Swede Pete,
made dash from the head of Chestnut street across
the bridge to the top of the hill the Wisconsin
side, last evening No damage except bad scare
for the toll collector.
The preliminary hearing in the case of the State
Va. Thomas Morrissey and e. Kitty, charged with
putting distractions on the railroad track, engaged
the attention of Judge Smith of the municipal court
this forenoon. The evidence was conclusive and the
prisoners were committed to Jail to await the action
of the grand jury. We understand that they will be
released on writ Of habeas corpus, and then adj
mitted to bail.