davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24
A Scientific Demon.

l CONFESS l like to know what the
scientific folk are doing. 1t gives me
such excellent topics for dinner talk,
and. after all. it's more original sub
ject than Ascot or Modieska. Accord
inglv | sat under one Dr. Siemens. at the
Society of Telegraph Engineers, last
week, and heard him discourse of the
powers and magic of familiar demon
of his, By name Dynamo-Electricity.
The demon was as obedient as Mephis-
topheles in the hand of this modern
Faust, and his first performance was
certainly sensational and startling. In
eight minutes by my watch the demon,
wrapped up in little green sort of
reel. melted bar of solid steel, and
was duly applauded for the feat. then
learnt that plants, fruit and vegetables
are susceptible of the most extraordi-
nary forcing" under the new power.
All you have to do is to get your demon
to blaze and glitter on your orchids.
your peas, your gardenias and your AS
paragus all night long. and the flowers
and vegetables will make mighty strides
in growth and flavor At intervals of
some three or four days they are al
lowed to sleep for an hour or two in
total darkness, but it seems that the
demon on the whole. does them no end
of good and brings them to perfect on
months earlier than by the old-fash-
toned system of alternate day and
night. This is comforting to lovers of
early strawberries. Finally, learnt
that if you managed to bottle up the
demon in a small engine he can drag a
whole train of carriages through St.
Gothard tunnel, or up a mountain, if
you like. After time DIR. Faust-Sie-
mems hopes his imp will be able to
draw caricatures, edit a paper. and.
possibly. solve the Bradlaugh and Par
nell Parliamentary problems. Welcome
demon!-Lontlon Family Fair.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24
Twenty.Eight Years Absent.

Mr.. JOHN X. DAWSON, of this place,
sailed from New York twenty-eigh t
years ago, with young male compan-
ion, to seek his fortune, assuring his
people he should not return until he
had attained 4 competence. He wealth
cred Cape Horn and brought up in Aus
tralia, where both men have since
labored with varying luck; but it is
evident that in locating and selling
claims they at last struck it rich. They
left Australia early in 1880, took tour
through Europe. sailed upon the Red
and Mediterranean Seas, returned to
New York by way of London, and ar
rived in Norwich last week unbe-
known to Mr.. Davison's parents. In
the old house where they lived when
he left he found an oyster saloon, and
the two went in and partook of sea food
in the Old spot. They then wandered
over Central Wharf, when they espied
the sign, Nv. p. Dawson, shoemaker"
which indicated that Mr.. Davison's
father still lived. He entered the
place. bargaIned for pair of boots,
and talked about the old mans son,
whom he claimed to have known in
Australia. The old gentleman was de-
lighted to meet man who had seen
his long-absent boy, and talked viva
ciously of him as he used to be; and
when the middle-aged man declared
himself 10 be the son, the father was
not at first ready to believe it; but the
proof was positive, and to-day he is en-
joying vacation with the boys. and is
as happy and jolly as he used to be
quarter of century ago.-Noracich
Conn. } Bulletin.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24
PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

The Emperor William has Just given
Professor Nordenskjold decoration.
LUCY LARCoM was Lowell factory
girl, and she is not ashamed to say so.
SARAH BERNHARDT's price for read
ing or acting in private houses is $500
a night.
TENNYsoN's last poem, .'De Pro-
fundis," is severely criticised by the
English press.
Mgs. JANE G. AUSTIN is credited with
the authorship of the latest mo Name"
novel, Mrs. Beauchamp Brown"
Miss SIDNEY PAUL GILL, who died il
Newark, n. j., recently. was the author
of the hymn, 4" Want to be an Angel.
MARK TWAIN has two new books in
hand, and it is likely that one OF them
at least will make its appearance before
many months.
Mis-. FRANCES HODGsON BURNETT,
the novel writer. will pass the summer
with Mrs. Isabel Beecher Hooker at
Hartford. Conn.
Mr.. THOMAS HUGHES sails for this
country August y. to supervise the or
ganization of Tennessee Land Com
pany He viii lecture during Septem-
Der and October.
LoNGFELLow's ..Mask of Pandora
is to be brought out as an opera at the
Boston Theater The poet will proba-
bly, add some rhymed verses to its
blank verse. Wonderfully fine and cor
rect costumes are promised, including q
ballet in flowing Grecian robes.
Ir is stated that when NJ. Renan has
finished the volume on Marcus Aure-
lius, which is to conclude his series of
the "Origin of Christianity" he in
tends to devote himself 10 writing a
history of the Jews, and hopes to bring
the work within the compass of three
volumes.
Or Edgar Poe. not long before he
died. Mr. David Graham Adee writes in
the Republic: ..He was below the mid
die height. and DIRE ssed in rather rusty
black broadcloth His collar was turned
back, fully exposing the beautiful neck
and fine, intellectual countenance. He
wore his dark locks long and negli-
gently: the broad massive brow COM
manded respect and reverence; the
almost boyish face was ornamented
with, in those days, the foreign append
age. only worn BY officers, of small
mustache: and the superb eyes, large,
deep-set and lustrous, burned with the
godlike glow of genius"
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24

men. and women with women. A small
fiat piece of marble is placed on each
grave. The graves are numbered. and
the record is Kept in the church book.
As they die they are buried, SO that
families are separated in the burying
ground. At first sight their cemeteries
look like empty grass fields.
1.-The Amish or Omish people are
very strict. They have no churches,
but they meet at one another's farms,
and one of their number does the
preaching. Their dress is very simple.
If any of them meets with losses, by
fire or otherwise, the others contribute
SO much apiece to make good the loss.
If son or daughter marries outside of
their sect, he or she is disowned. In
this they are very strict. They own
magnificent farms. and their spacious
barns are ten times larger than their
houses. No person in the world is more
honest than an Omishman. They take
no part in elections, but pay their taxes.
~ see that in the courts of Berks
County very interesting case has just
been decided by Master in Chancery,
in which two parties in Mennonite
congregation were fighting for a church.
The congregation split because their
pastor. the Rev. MIR. Oberholtzer, re-
fused to appear in church in regula-
ton coat. The regulation coat is
one that has buttons on one
side only. and no collar. Although the
Rev. Oberholtzer went to Conference
in a regulation coat 10 state his case,
he lost il. and then he established 4 new
sect, calling it the New Measure Men
nonites.
The story of Rachel Kerster has
never found its way into print that
have heard of She was the only child
of rich Dunkard, and she became tired
of the plain dresses and primitive Gus
toms of her people. She informed her
father of this and asked to be allowed
to travel and see the world. Her father
became angry; one word brought on
another. until finally she was disowned.
She left home, and her father spent
three years in finding her. She had
taken refuge with friend in small
Western town, and when she was dis
covered she was wearing worldly
dresses. She was taken home and
dressed in homespun; but she soon
died"
The love feast lasted three days.
Sometimes they are held in the open
air. and often in very large frame
building containing table accommoda-
tons for hundreds of people, built
especially for the purpose. Small con-
gregations sometimes hold love feasts
on the clean floors of members man.
moth barn. Their service consists of
song. prayer, baptism by immersion,
foot washing and feasting. The farm
ers 90 to the feasts in the morning and
return to their homes at nightfall.-
Cor. Nelc York Sun.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24
HUMOROUS.

THE evil that men do lives afterthem.
Cows likewise do not give oleOmarga-
rine until they are dead.-Graphic.
RICHES are called the "root' of all
evil because people can't branch out
unless they have the root.-Boston
Transcript
The blind man should be the most
contented man in the world. because he
can have everything he sees.-Steu5en-
CiiIe Herald.
WHEN a female contributor to a
monthly magazine speaks of 1.-THE most
delicious, delectable, enhancing and
distracting of all inno cent indulgences,"
she means a kiss.-Harttord Sunday
Journal.
BREAKING an awkward silence: Mrs.
Montague Smart Suddenly, to bashful
youth, who has not opened his lips since
he was introduced to her quarter of
an hour ago)-" And now let us talk of
something elser'-Punca.
OLD GUSNYBAGs--" So YOU want to
marry my daughter. Ell? Well. sir.
what are your expectations. sir?''
Young SHARPLY Wei. l expect that
you II do the handsome thing in the way
of a marriage gift. and that viii last us
until You drop off, and then of course,
you will maze your will in our favor"
-.inttre,OS' Bozdr
WELL-REGuLarED hotels now set
special tables for the accommodation
of guests who prefer to put knives
down their throats while eating. To
prevent accidents the knives are to be
attached 10 the tables by small chains.
Professional sword swallowers. how
ever, will be allowed TO handle the
table ware in their own way.-NeU Or
leans Picayune.
would you like to have a bow?"
said the bold young archer as they
sauntered down the held, and she MUIR
INJURED Yes" and the absorbed archer
said what kind of bow would you
PREFER" She quivered a little rs she
replied, archiy, Il think should pre-
fer yew," and then the young man took
it in, and although he was an arrow
chested youth he went to the target and
heaved bulls sigh.-Boston Commer-
cial -ddrertiser.
PROFESSOR of Greek, who is out rid
ing with his wife. notices that the horse
is thirsty and drives into stream by
the roadside; professor remarks that
there is evidently some weighty OBJ
struction which prevents the horse from
getting his head down to drink, and
says that he will make observations
with view of detecting the difficulty.
Suddenly he exclaims, "Ah! | per-
ceive," and proceeds to unbuckle the
crupper.--NeD York Observer.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24

AFARMEI living near Agawam, Mass.
has captured two pure white robins. 1t
is believed that they are the only pair
If entirely white birds OF this species
in the country, the so-called white rob-
ins usually having many dark feathers.
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24

A tract of fifty thousand acres on
the Northern Pacific Railroad has been
bought for \ colony from Belfast, Ire
land
Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-07-24

An English engineer of Toronto, on
being asked what mileage locomotive
could make without repairs, said that
he knew of one running l63,66l miles
in five years. But the endurance of an
engineer is something wonderful. One
man for several years rode 176 miles
day, or 1.056 miles week. or 1876 for
a month of twenty-six working days,
or a total of 55,0SS miles for one year
of 313 working days. As to the re-
sponsibilities of passenger engineer,
another said those of the Americans
have been increased tenfold in the past
few years BY the adoption of the air.
brake. Now he can depend on no one
in time of trouble, nor can he lay blame
on anybody. The entire train is under
his control, and he has often, unknown
to the passengers, averted n serious
accident by quick appliance of the
brakes.
The North British Railway Com
pany's plans FOR restoring the Tay
Bridge are now published. The main
features of the new structure will be
two. The old long girders. which were
thirteen in number, are to be replaced
by twenty-six small girders, and they
are 10 be thirty-one feet lower than
they were in the old bridge. This new
plan will give abundant securities for
stability, but it will. of course, necessi-
tate a lowering of the girders already
standing. and it is on this ground that
the plan is expected to be opposed.
The people interested in the fifteen or
twenty smacks that find their way up
the river to the neighborhood OF Perth
in the course OF year will. in1he name
of 1.-The navigation of the Tay," prob
ably take considerable exception 10 the
new plans.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05

An he-goatist is one who makes q
butt Of himself by continually talking Of
his own exploits
Paper as substitute for wood in the
manufacture Of lead pencils is being at
tempted in Germany. The paper is
stepped in an adhesive liquid, and rolled
around the core of the lead to the re-
quired thickness, and is colored after
drying, when it resembles an ordinary
cedar pencil.
Charles, the son of q wealthy farmer,
has new tutor. The latter, theological
student, asks Charles about the customs
of the house, and, among other inquiries
whether prayers are said at table. "Oh,
yes" answers Charles, "my father prays
almost every noon" "And can you
tell me what he praysl" says the tutor,
highly pleased. "Oh, yes" answers the
boy "father says almost every day,
Good Lord what beastly mess this
nr
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
British India.

Since Great Britain came into power
in British India the population has in
creased from 100000 to 80 O0O,.
900, and gains about 100000 yearly.
The importation of the precious metals,
chiefly silver, in the last twenty years
has been at the rate of fifty to sixty
millions year. The coinage has been
sos, 100000 year The conversion of
specie into ornaments has reached $780,
100000. Since 1886, when the monop-
oily at the East India company ended,
the expectation of goods has increased
five-fold and the importation four-fold.
In July, 1875, silver fell in England a
shilling per ounce, or 90 per cent. in
consequence Of false reports as to the
bonanzas and the demonstration of sill
yer in northern Europe and the United
States. 1t has since recovered IL per
cent. India, in average years, coins
$35, 100000 Of silver in rupees and con-
verts $25, 900, 900 more into ornaments
for her females. When she cannot get
silver she uses gold to some extent for
this purpose, and is now melting down
her gold ornaments and exchanging the
bar gold for silver. In the United
States our treasury absorbs $25, OOO,0 900
in silver, Ten millions 60 into plate
and watches, Of which we make more
than England. At least $4,000 arc
sent into Canada and other adjacent ter
ritor;es. The aggregate required by
our country and adjacent States is at
least s4O,OOO,0 900, and we may add
81, 100000 more for South America and
Africa The yearly requirements of the
world are now more than Sl5,00O,C00.
The mines of the world cannot for the
current year furnish more than SS5, 0OO,-
600, Of which we supply but one-half in
consequence Of the reduced yields Of the
bonanzas.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
The Dangers of tho Deep.

The steamer Arizona had narrow
escape, on recent trip from Europe,
by running plump into an iceberg No
lives were lost, but for many hours
about three hundred lives were in deadly
peril. The whole of the front part of
the ship was carried away below the
water line, and was all open. Two men
were pinned to their hunks by crashing
blocks of ice. The waters rose on a
level with the saloon floors. Fortunate
" the sea remained smooth and the
steamer reached St. Johns, N. F., in
safety. The Arizona Is new ship, and
three times has been driven across the
Atlantic at q racing pace, with large
consumption Of coal-l6O tons per day
and on this occasion, steaming back
on her fourth passage at q equally
rapid rate. When the accident
took place, the night, it is said, was
clear, but very dark, and hence the OBJ
struction was not considered until the
steamer was right upon it Had the
obstruction been a fishing vessel, and
these are plentiful enough on the Banks,
instead of an iceberg, she would have
been cut down by this huge iron craft,
going at the rate Of seventeen knots an
hour, and her crew lost beyond hope of
rescue To the terrors of the storm
king is added this additional danger,
that Of reckless and ruthless ocean rae
ing on the part of immense iron steam
ers, whose ightest blow is certain de.
struction, which the hardy Gloucester
fisherman are exposed to in the pursuit
of their perilous calling. There should
be law to compel them to reduce their
speed while crossing the fishing banks.
Cape Ann Advertiser.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
Mlllionaires' Mansions.

The Vanderbilt family are providing
themselves with sumptuous new resA
dences. The plans, which We're filed il
the department. of buildings, set forth
that Cornelius Vanderbilt will construct
one house which will cost him $4,000,
VIM. X. Vanderbilt one the expense of
which will be 100000, and William
II. Vanderbilt, two together, which will
aggregate S700,000-in all 81 100000.
The most costly one, that of Cornelius
Vanderbilt. will be Nos. 742 and 744
Fifth avenue. 1t will front 1875 feet on
Fifty-seventh street, where the main en-
trance will be, and will have depth of
one hundred feet. From it's founda-
tions it will have a height of one hun
bred and nine feet. The main building
will be four stories. The marble front
will be in the Elizabeth style, richly
ornamentcd with carvings Viewed on
the Fifty-seventh street side, the edifce
might be supposed, from the drawings,
to be an art gallery, or club house or
a church, according as one looked at
different parts of it, but taken rs whole
it will be imposing. Perhaps beautiful,
and certainly one of the most note
worthy private dwellings, in New York.
William *. Vanderbllt's residence
will be on the corner Of Fifty-second
street and Fifth avenue. 1t will be
much less pretentious than the residence /.
of his brother. William IL. Vanderx
bilt proposes to construct two buildings
together-one very large single house,
which will cost 100000, and the other
a double house of exceedingly ingenious
arrangement, which will cost 100000.
The two buildings are practically to be
one, since they will have common en-
trance from Fifth avenue to grand YES
thule and corridor uniting them. For
the purpose of this grand double build
ing the center block on the west side Of
Fifth avenue, from Fifty-frst to Fifty
second street, is taken. That portion
which Mr.. w. Fl. Vanderbilt himself
proposes to inhabit, and which is to cost
100000, will have lot frontage of
l03 feet and depth of 1913 feet, upon
which the actual building will be 81 feet
by $50 feet The height of the build
ing, basement, three stories and attic,
will be GO feet six inches, and the roof
will be fiat The front will be of Con-
necticut brown stone, with Corinthian
columns by the windows. On the first
floor are parlor, sitting room and two
reception rooms, all of which can be
thrown together, giving a space of SO
by 60 feet. Across the hall will oe a
picture gallery 80 by As feet and two
stories high. At the end of the hall
will be dining room % by 2S feet, with
a cloak room and smoking room. In
the second story will be parlor - by
% feet, a conservatory Is by 49, and
two stories high, and four chambers,
each with bath and dressing rooms en-
suits In the third story there are to
be five suits of rooms. Associate
Press Dispatches.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05
The Prince OF Diplomats.

Reclined on rich velvet fauteuil, or
on chaise Tongue, M. De Talleyrand-
his flowing curls, now powdered and
scented-would listen in silence, and in
kind of cats sleep, to the lively chit
chat of the ladies grouped around him,
who cared more to amuse him than to
amuse themselves. 1t is singular that
one known to have been habitually SO
silent man should have left reputa-
ton for brilliancy in the social circle.
From his habit of nearly closing his
eyes-a habit that grew upon him as he
advanced in years-he could scarcely
have appeared even an attentive or in
terested listener. His dropped cyelids
and the smile on his face would rather
seemingly have indicated u mind occu-
pied with some dreamy thoughts of its
own. Yet when, occasionally, half ris-
ing from his seat, or changing his posi-
ton, he opened his eyes on the company,
with a glance full of malice, but not of
Immature, and uttered some piquant re-
mark or amusing bon mot, (Which he
had, doubtless, been meditating) he gave,
in q few words, concentrated reply, as
it were, to the whole conversation. And
usually it was so fit, so appropriate, that
it fixed itself in the memory Of its hear
ers; unlike the wordy defamation
which, as a noise in the air, doated away
from Nine. De Stael's admiring audi
ence, without leaving a trace of its
meaning in the mind. How
little has been recorded of Talleyrands
conversation that is not in the form of
an epigram or bon mot Even in dip
lomatic conference he spoke very little.
His colleagues guessed his opinions,
rather than learned them from his
words. And he never would argue;
but after listening with an approving,
almost deferential air-as though thank
fully receiving information he gave his
opinion on the question at issue al
ways, however, in the fewest words pos
sible, and generally, as was deemed the
perfection of cautious and ruse diploma
cy in that day land the practice may
even in these virtuous times be not
wholly extinct in form that admitted
by straining of terms, of some differ
ence in explanation, should he after
wards think it expedient to alter his
views. Even in his own private circle
he would play at whist or billiards-and
he was fond of both-for hours without
uttering a word that was not
strictly required by the game.
He revived at his receptions the old
French fashions of suppers-and they
were suppers at which Brillat-Savarin
often assisted. Talleyrand never par
took of them; but it was then he most
usually departed from his silent system
and shared in the sprightly causerie of
his guests. On these occasions Nine.
Grant. who, less strict in her regime
than Talleyrand, enjoyed the supper i'm
mensely, was accustomed to indulge in
her most brilliant sallies. Simpleton. as
she was reputed be, her remarks were
often sufficiently singing to bring two
or three notes to Talleyrand next morn
ing, inquiring whether such and such OBJ
servations made by Nine. Grant had not
been made avec intention. Bar.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05

When inAationist Dick Schcll stood
looking through the golden gate of Par
adise at the golden streets and palaces
within, his eyelids dropped and he was
sad. But the gatekeeper, opening the
gate, said: Brother, come in" There
upon Dick bolted through the gate, and
stayed not until he reached the Change
of the Celestial City, where he inmedi.
ately bought 10000 shares in the Pur-
gatory railroad.
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05

A rich snob, who married . lady of
brilliant genius, said at a dinner party:
"Wben we were married my wife de-
clared, with all my worldly gifts thee
endow,' when she hadn't penny in the
world" "But then there were her
splendid talents p said lady. "Oh r
exclaimed . wit. "but she didn't endow
him with them
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05

Mr.. OFlanagan "Well, Barney,
when you come to see your landlord, ye
meight put coat on you" Barney:
lis it coat, your honor Slure, thin,
the only dacent coat Ill be having il
Jist bundle Of howls stitched tigethurr,
and sorra . rag else-and that same in
pawn-bad cess to it intority."
The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-02-05

at first, but then she felt so awfully sor-
~ ana was so sweet and nice, and made
it all right, you know; so don't blame
her at all. She said l needn't leave the
room to night, and I don't propose to
either. YOU bet"