davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
London FORs.

The dense fogs which 50 frequently con-
vert London day into nirht, while the sur
rounding country is bright with sunshine,
are commonly attributed to the smoky coal
which London burns; and it has been pro-
posed to import Pennsylvania anthracite as
aremedy. Doubtless smoke has something
TO do with the density and blackness Of
London fogs; but we very much doubt the
possibility of largely dispelling them by any
change of fuel. 1t is, we believe, not 50
much the smoke of London fires as the
great volume of water vapOr which they
produce that serves as the primary cause
of the fOgs. A necessary product of COM
huston is water; and the millions or more
fires of London must send into the air Of
the CITY enormous volumes of heat vapOr IN
addition TO the steam of boiling water incl
dent to cooking, manufacturing, and slmi-
lar operations While the atmosphere of
London is thus being kept at the point of
saturation, the manner in which the city is
laid out prevents any free passage of wind
to sweep away the superabundant mois-
ture. London is made up of a congeries Of
towns scattered over a hundred square
miles or more of area, each with its pecu-
liar network of streets and roads, and all
grown together into such snarl of passa-
ges, all short and nearly all crooked, that
a hurricane would be confused and lost in
an attempt to pass through the city. No
other large city in the world bears any
comparison with London in this respect.
| All other large cities have long thorough
| fares through which the wind can sweep
! their entire length or breadth. In most
| cities such avenues are not only long and
broad but measurably straight. The near
est approach to such a thoroughfare in Lon
| don begins at Shepherds Bush and runs
along the Uxbridge road, down Oxford
street to Holbert Viaduct. This allo VS.
the west winds to penetrate TO bhe very
heart of the metropolis, and 1t Is fact well
established by observation that this route
is slngularly free from fogs. The native
! L0ndoner is apt to dcride the chess-board
! plan of most American and many Europe
an cities, with streets crossing each other
at right angles and running in monotonOus
straight lines, mile after mile. This plan
may not lend itself so readily TO architect
ural effects as the short and tangled streets
of London, but its sanitary and commercial
advantages are beyond question. 1t may
he that after all Is said and done London
may have to choose between enduring an
almost ever-present fog or the breaking up
of it's beloved labyrinths by cutting broad
and straight avenues, in various directions,
across the length and breadth of the city.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
At the Table.

1t is impossible to estimate properly the
immense influence which is eXerted upon
the household by the atmosphere of the
family table. If it is true that one does
not come out of a room the same person
who went in, the mind ever after retain
ing the impress of what affected it there,
what great results must be achieved from
the meeting three times day in the dining
room, from the conversation INDUCED in,
and the sentiments habtually expressed
there. 4 neat well-ordered table, Is in
itself lesson TO the children. | have
noticed that a sensitive child almost in
variably has better manners when dressed
in its best, and have seen with surprise
the effect produced upon a certain small
boy of my acquaintance by handsomely
dressed ladies who are polite to him. To
the inviting table, where there should be
always something attractive, however SIM
pie the meal may be, most children viii!
come prepared TO behave properly. At
this table the mother will not take her seat
with dlsordered hair and soiled collar,
remarking, with the air of a martyr, that
il is the first time she has sat down to-day
The head of the house, if the dinner is not
exactly 10 his mind, will not resent it as a
personal affront. 1t really is worth while
and when philosophically considered is a
matter of great importance, to lay aside as
far as possible all thoughts of the hard
work done before and TO be done after a
meal, and TO allow no veXatiOus questions
to he discussed at this time. The habit of
breeding over our work and eXhausting
ourselves by going it all over in our minds
is one 10 be studiously avoided. There is
nothing which takes from ones energy
more than this, and ii is a frequent cause
of insanity. Everybody knows that food
digcsts better when eaten in agreeable
company. 1t was something more than a
pleasantly which made a friend remark,
that lie could not have his wife and child
pass the summer vacation away from him,
as it gave him dyspepsia. The poor child
who comes 10 grief at the table, and is
sent away from it with his dinner half
eaten, and who suffers the whole afternoon
with an undigested lump of food in his
stomach Is TO be pitied, and it is a wise
plan TO explain 10 children, that in this
way they will be punished for bad conduct
at the table. 1t follows, then, that pleasant
surprises in the way of preparing favorite
dishes, that good taste, too much pains
taking in arranging all the appointments of
the table and dining-room, rise above q
mere ministering to the animal existence,
and affect the finer issues of life. Good
behavior and cheerfulness ought to accom-
pany each meal as naturally and unvary-
iugly as bread and butter. The happy
and calls the blood from the brain, allow
ing the stomach to get its share, should be
heard more frequently at our tables. No
one should feel at liberty 10 say one word
which Is not at least kind and thoughtful,
any more than he would withhold sutfi-
cient quantity Of food. These facts need
more careful consideration than they have
usually received.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
Marriage I'm Poland.

In Poland 1t seems, it is not the would
be bride groom who proposes TO his lady
love, but friend. The two go tegether
to the young girls house, carrying with
them a loaf of bread, bottle of brandy
and new pooket-handkerchief. When
they are shown into the ''best" room the
friend asks for wine-glass. If this in
procured at once, it is good sign; if not,
they take their leave without another word,
as they understand their proposal will not
be accepte d. Suppose, however, that the
friend drinks to the fathers and mothers
health, and then asks where their daughter
is, upon which the mother goes to fetch
her. When she comes into the room the
friend always the friend) offers her the
glass filed with brandy. If she puts it 10
her lips she is willing, and then the pro-
pOsal is made at once. But it is the fash
ion to refuse il several times before finally
accepting. Then the friend takes out the
new handkerchief and ties the young peO-
pies hands together with it, after which
it is tied around the young girls head, and
she wears it as a sign of betrothal until her
wedding day, which is very soon after
wards, as on the Sunday following the pro-
posal the banns are published. On the
wedding-day all the bridesmen and brides
maids 60 round to the friends and acquain-
tances of the two families and invite them
to the wedding. At each house they must
dance a Cracovian. Let us hope that the
dance is a short one, for the sake of their
feet and breath.) During this the bride is
being dressed by other young friends OF
hers, whilst young men sing virtuous
strophes to hF When all the guests are
q assembled the bli lie kneels for her parents
blessing, and then she is placed in csrr,-
age with her betrothed and friend. Upon
returning home bread and salt are present
ed to the young couple, and wheat is thrown
over their heads. This wheat is picked up
and afterward sown; if it bears good fruit
the young couple will be prosperous
Dancing, singing and feasting are kept up
till morning, when the young couple are
accompanied TO their room. But before
then the brides hair has TO be cut of, and
Sac is coffee with the matron's cap. This
custom is terrible, but il has to be com
Piled with. The wedding festivities are
kept up for seven days and seven nights
without interruption, after which the wed
ding visits begins, commencing with the old
est proprietor or lord of the neighborhood.
Once upon time this visit was paid On
the weddlng-day, but now it is delayed
until after the last wedding reel has ceased.
1t is better thus.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
Great storm I'm the suH.

Observers Of the sun fOnnd Indications o.
intense cOmmotion on the 18th, 18th anC
18th of August. The sun spots were nu
merous, large and active, and protuber
ances shot up their rose-colored tongues
with increased force and velocity from the
surface. The earth made instantaneous re.
sponse TO the solar storm. A magnetic
disturbance suddenly commenced, accom-
panied by an unusual exhibition of earth
currents continuous and strong. 1t is years
since the Greenwich observatory has re-
corded magnetic disturbances of equal mag
nitude, aud it sends forth timely warning
TO telegraph engineers, and especially 10
those concerned in the laying of submarine
cables, that earth currents may now become
frequent as compared with the quietness OF
recent years. 4 superb exhibition of auro-
ra accompanied the magnetic disturbance.
An observer al the Stoneyhurst Observa-
tory describes il as recalling the magnih-
cent displays of 1869, 20 and II, while the
play of the magnets was one of the most
violent ever recorded at that observatory.
The auroral display was extensively OBJ
served in England and Scotland. One OBJ
server describes it as an ontburst of stream
ers, appearing like wavy, swaying curtains
from the zenith TO the near horizon, with
the loveliest green tints near the zenith;
another writes that the streaks extended
from horizon to zenith, the color being
principally pale blue with reddish tinge;
another paints the display as a brilliant
band of white light followed by streamers,
each Streamer fading away before the sue
ichf rfi
another records glowing celestial picture
Of the Northern horizon skirted by bright
white haze, terminating In an ill-defned
arch, from which sprang large number Of
broad streamers, stretching toward the
zenith. The same phenomenon was seen
by American observers although 1t did not
receive the attention bestowed upon it by
European observers. Ii is evident, how
ever, that the epoch Of grand aurOras and
magnetic storms has returned, and that our
northern skies for months 10 come will
probably be lighted with auroral flames.
More earnestly than ever arises the ques-
ton Of the cause Of the sun spot cycle and
its intimate connection with electric and
magnetic phenomena. No one doubts that
the connection in the solar orb is reflected
on the earth in the flashes of auroral light
and the erratic movements of the magnetic
needle. We can see the cause and note the
effect. But no one, if the theory of the
distributing influence of the great planets
is rejected, has found the clew TO the Sc
cret of sun spots We can only grope in
darkness while we wait for persistent
searchers to solve the problem, and admire
with mingled reverence and awe the Nigh
ty power with which the sun sways his re-
tinue of worlds, and the strength of the
sympathetic chord by which each planet in
the system reflects 10 auroral light and dis
turbed magnetism the abnormal condition
of the great central orb.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23

Professor Merrill has long been Of the
opinion that the telescope is a clumsy
method of supplying the deficiency of eye
power, and some months ago he undertook
To ascertain If there was any way by which
we could be able TO dispense with artificial
lenses. Ii is a well ascertalned fact that
persons who are Lear-sighted, or In other
words can see only such objects as are
near TO them, have the ball Of the eye
globular and protuberant, while those
whose vision enables them TO see objects at
a long distance from them have the eye
fiattened and sunken. The obvious ex-
PLANTATION of the fact is the theory that
when the eye is flattened, the lenses are
compressed, and thus focal distance is in
creased, while the opposite effect follows
the too great rotundity of the eye. Acting
in accordance with this theory, he
conceived the plan of increasing the power
of the eye, not by using artihcial glass
lenses, but by improving the natural
lenses. He designed an instrument, con-
sistins Of two small metallic disks, each
pierced with an exceedingly small hole,
and connected by light steel band. These
disks are to be placed one directly over
the centre Of each eye, while the steel band
passing around the head, holds them in
place. This band is SO made that it can
be shortened or heightened by turning a
thumbscrew, and of course, just in proper
tion as il 70 shortened the disks press against
the eyes aud tlatten them. The inventor
tired his instrument upon himself before
exhibiting II to anyone. He found that
when the disks were put in position and
the screw w&s gradually turned his power
of seeing distant objects steadily increased.
A very slight increase Of pressure on the
eyes gave very marked increase of Wis
ual power. He made experiments both by
day and night, and in every case with
marked success lie found that in the
daytime he could read the Times at a dis
tance of twenty rods by giving the screw
two complete turns, and at night he could
perceive the moons of Jupiter and the ring
of Saturn with six turns of the screw. Up
to this point, the operation of the instru-
ment was quite painless, but any attempt
to give greater eye-power was attended
with sharp pain in the eyes and a dazzling
light, which rendered all objects invisible.
Professor Merrill has calculated, however,
that SIX turns of the thumbScrew
give his eyes a power equal to that of a
refracting telescope of fOrty-two feet focal
distance, and that, in fact, there is no tel
escope in existence which has anything
like the power of his eyes when they have
been properly adjusted by the help of his
new instrument.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
Tiger Hunting.

In 1888, in the month of April, when
encamped at Slrpur, the villagers gave
Outram information of a atiger that had been
marked down ia tine thorny jangal to the
north of the village. This part of the
country was plain, and there was no hill or
ravIne near. Outran started on foot, spear
in hand, follower carrying a rife, and
some six others bows and arrows. The
tiger broke ground on their approach.
DURAN followed him on foot three
mules, and eventually speared him to
death. This act, it is affirmed, has never
been equaled before or since in Kandesh.
On another occasion he stood spear in hand,
like gladiator in the arena of q Roman
amphltheatre ready for the throwing open
of the wild beasts cage. The bushes were
set on fire, and the tiger, by no means
relishing the smoke, came, putting and
blowing like q pOrpoise, every five or six
seconds, TO get little fresh sir, but, sceEt-
ing the elephant, he was always tain to re-
treat again. This sort of work went on for
some time, and bush after bush blazed
away without producing the desired effect.
could not have stood the suspense when
life was at stake. At last there was low,
angry growl, and scuffiing rustic in the
passage. The tiger spraHg out, and down
descended the long lance into his neck,
just behind the dexter ear With one
stroke of his powerful paw he smashed the
spear close to the head. This was pretty
business. Mr.. Tiger one step below, with
the steel sticking in his neck, which by no
means improved his temper, had gathered
his huge hindQuarters below him for dcs-
perate spring, and my friend, armed after
the fashion of the South Sea Islanders,
standing ON little mound, breathing def
ance and brandishIng his bamboo on high.
Eventually the tiger was shot by one of the
party. Outram had some narrow escapes.
Once, while pursuing tiger on foot, his
companion being on horseback, the animal
charged, seized Outram, and rolled down
the hill with him. Being released from
the claws of the ferocious beast for mo-
ment, Outram, with great presence of
mind, drew pistol he had with him, and
shot the tiger dead. The Bhils, on seeing
that he had been Injured, were one and all
loud in their grief and expressions of re-
gret; but Outram quieted them with the
remark: "What do l care for the clawing
of a cat" This speech was rite among
the Bhils for many years afterward, and
may be so until this day.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
Riding u Bronco.

Tom Newland has an indian who places
a high estimate on his equestrian ability.
There was horse to be brought to town a
few days ago and the Indian was given
the JOB. He was told he was "brOncO, "
but 1t was ''esta buenO me sabe." Hitch
ing the animal 10 a tree, he carefully placed
the sweat cloth on MIN; then the blanket,
the bride and the saddle; at each perform
ance giving vent TO satisfied "Ah, hah, "
each ejaculation growing inlenser, till he
got into the saddle. All this time the
''bronco," looked as unlike Alexander the
Greats war horse, BuCephalls, as a car
pcnters saW-hOrse. The Indian started;
he gained the crest of the hit where the
scrub Cak was thickest; he turned and gave
another "Ah, hail." which was followed SO
closely by "whoa" that it sounded like a
compound word. Then something rose to
few feet in the air, went back and rose
again. There was a cloud of dust, a heap
of Apache talk, flash of bright ColCrs
and-sllence. When Tom went up, he
found the horse grazing IN the most ortho-
dox fashion and strip of white breech-
clout and pair of brown legs surmounted
red stockings and iron-clad shoes sticking
up from the middle of scrub oak, like a
new sort OF plant. Tom got him out of
the brush and when he said: "Ah, hah, "
the Indian looked as though he wanted to
90 on the War-path.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23

Thirty pairs of embroidered slippers are
necessary for the trousseau of a Chinese
lady of position, and her boudoir is cram
med with confectionery, and fruits, burnt
almonds, barley sugar, syrup of aloes.~
oranges, ginger, and shaddocks, in confu-
sion with rich silks, jewels of wrought
gold and precious stones, rings bracelets,
cases of nails, bodklns for the hair, and
thousand other charming nick-nacks. In
this strange country young girl when she
marr1es never has dUwry. Sheis literally
purchased either by the husband himself
or by his relations. Although she may
have no brothers, she cannot inherit any
portion of her paternal fortune unless her
father makes an express declaration in her
favor. Such arrangements are always COM
pleted before the marriage, and are usually
negotiated by agents, called, "Me jim. =
The young faface is next presented to her
husbands's parents. The husband himself
she never sees until the wedding day, when
she is carried In a closed char TO the house.
The key of the chair is handed to the
bridegroom, who opens the door, and if the
lady within pleaSes his taste he holds out
his hand to her; if not, he slams the door,
and the engagement is at an end, the girls
parents having the right to retain the pur-
chase money.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
The Rose of Sharon.

The so-called Rose of Sharon is one of
the most exquisite flowers in shape and
hue. Its blossoms are bell-shaped, and of
many mingled hues ana dyes. But It's his
tory is legendary and romantic in the high
est degree. In the East, throughout
Syria, Judea and Arabia, 1t is regarded
with the profoundest reverence. The
leaves that encircle the round blossoms
dry and close together when the season of
blossoms is over, and the stalk, whitening
completely away from the stem, the flow
er is blown away at last from the stem on
which it grew, having dried In theshapeoa
ball, to which is carried away by the breeze
great distances. Ii this way it is borne
over the wastes and sandy deserts, until
at last, touching some moist place, i;
cllngs to the soil, where 1t Immediately
takes fresh root and springs to life and
beauty again.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
"SQueezer, Sir !''

A gentleman residing in the suburbs
Detroit, finding that his otherwise well-or
dered household was without that indis-
pensable article of modern civilization
known as a lemon-squeezer, and having
tried for several days in vain to think to
bring one out with him from town, finally
directed his man to remind him of it on
the following morning before his departure
for the city. Standing on the ooor-step
after breakfast the next day, and just as
he was about to bid his wife his usual af-
fectionate farewell, he heard, in stentorian
tones from the region of the stable the
words, "Squeezer, sir!" The lady was
startled, and it was well for the faithful
domestic that his employer had only just
time enough to catch the tram; but there
{ now lemon-squeezer of the latest pat
tern in the house.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23
COMEDY

They parted, with CLASPS OF hand,
And kisses, and burning tears.
They met in q foreign land,
After some twenty years;
Met as acquaintances meet
Smilingly, tranquil-eyed--
Not even the least little beat
OF the heart upon either s.le
They chatted OF this and that
The nothings that make up life
She in n Gainsborough hat
And he in black for his wife
ALI what a comedy this ia
Neither WAS hurt, it appears
She had forgotten his kisses,
And he had forgotten her tears.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23

Durtng a late thunderstorm near
London, England, great ball of fire
was seen to descend from the clouds
into lake. After the storm was over
a hundred dead fish, Including two
carp, weighing together twenty-three
pounds, were found floating on the
surface near the spot where the fire.
ball was seen to strike.
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23

"WKLL Pat, jim dldn'E quite kill you
with the -brickbat, did hep" "NO; but
[ wish he had. "Why sO?" $50 that
could have seen him hung, the vii
i&inu"
Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-12-23

A WAC got hold of an EDITORS whisky
bottle and labelled it, "TO be cOntin- :
ued in our necks."
The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-06-03
r..., a..o,,ne Explo.,on.

Piqua, Ohio, the past week, was the scene
a terrific gasoline explosion, resulting in q
horrible death to four persons and the complete
demolition of the property in which the ac-
cident occurred. Mrs. Fannie Jones, q widow,
who uses a gas stove for cooking purposes, had
purchased q barrel of gasoline, which was
placed in the cellar. On the morning follow
ing the purchase an odor of the fund was de-
tected Issuing from the cellar, and Fred. W.
Amendt, a young groceryman, was called upon
to investigate. He and two boys named Pur-
due entered the cellar and struck a match, when
two explosions followed in rapid succession,
first the gas and then the barrel of oil. The
southwest wall and portions of the north and
east walls were thrown outward, and brick and
shingles were projected into the air fifty feet.
The elder Purdue was thrown into a corner
where he was consumed in the burning build
ing. Amendt and the younger boy, with their
clothing saturated with the oil and in flames,
escaped to the street, the boy falling in the
middle of the street where he burned to a
crisp. With assistance Amendt got the fire
which was consuming him extinguished, but
not until it was too late, and he died shortly
after. Miss Newman, q sister of Mrs. Jones,
who was standing at the entrance door Of the
cellar, was so badly burned that she canss'
recover. Mrs. Jones jumped from q second.
story window in her night dress and escaped
with serious injuries. The mother of the Pur-
due boys, it is thought, cannot recover the
shock which the horrible death of her boys ha.
produced upon her. The young wife of Fred
Amendt is also Frustrated. The explosion wal
felt throughout the town and was heard for q
distance of six miles.