davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

The FLY's INSTRUMENT OF TORTURE. -
Professor Macloskie Of Princeton college re-
Gently delivered lecture on The Fly IN
New York, in the course of which he pro-
duced illustrations of the various parts of
that troublesome insect. As for the picture Of
the instrument Of torture, the proboscis of
the house-hy, it resembled, both in shape
and size, rifle with the barrel broken of
where it meets the stock, and large warty
potato stuck on. The potato would repre-
sent what some naturalists would call the
Tip" and what others call the knob" of
the proboscis. Professor Macloskie declared
that it was a mistake to say that flies bite,
the testimony of all mankind to the contrary,
Notwithstanding. They didn't bite-they
only filed. 1t was for long time said by
naturalists that this knob at the end of the
1ys proboscis was made up of muscular It's
sue, by which the owner was enabled to rub
his teeth, so to speak into the flesh of suffer
ing humanity. Later investigation had dem
onstrated the fact that this knob WAS made
up principally of small rods, the sharp ends
of which projected little beyond the end,
making u surface similar to that of very
sharp and effective file.
The lecturer went on to j, scribe Just how
the flies go to work TO file person face.
Having discovered a minute speck of some
thing palatable, the fly first dropped a little
saliva upon it to moisten or dissolve the dain-
ty morsel. This done he went to work with
his file, executing a movement like that of
the snout of a pig when roofing up the earth.
Having gathered enough for a swallow, he
drew up his proboscis, emptied the food into
his mouth aud chewed it. To prove that
flies had teeth, although they were so located
as not enable him to bite any external object,
the professor passed around Il specimen of a
fy's jaw adjusted under the objective glass
of microscope and showing of the fys
back teeth to great advantage. The mus
quito's apparatus was very different That
interesting New Jersey bird was provided
with number of lancelets set in among a
system of sucking tubes. This enabled it to
bore for blood and draw it up at the same
time.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

MBs. PARTINGToN AT THE SoCIABLE. There
was no mstaking the costume, and the fact
that the venerable dame led small boy by
the hand confirmed the impression that Mrs.
Partingtou was indeed in the Rssemblage.
There was a uIomentary lul in the buzz Of
conversation and the party gathered around
the new conner, eager to shake her by the
hand Bless me :" said she. with bcaming
smile, which played over her face like sun
shine over a lake BLESS me how salutary
you all are = just as you ought to be at a
time like this, when nothing harmonious
should be allowed to disturb your hostitios
You are very kind, I'm shore. and | am glad
to see you trying to enjoy yourselves. We
had no church sociablcs in my young days,
but We had huskiu bees and quiltin' bees
and apple bees. and "Bumblebees, said
Ike, brc aking in like a boy on thin ice-'and
though We had good times, and socable
enough, goodness knows, when the red ears
were found they were nothing 10 the super
fluffy Of this There was slight disturb
ance in the circle as Ike in his restessnoss
placed his heel on "A circumjacent toe, but it
was stilled as the master of ceremonies came
up to introduce the minister "Glad to see
you. madam" said the minister. Il hope
you may find the hour spent with US a hap
py one" II know | shall, sir replied she
Tor happiness depends very much on now
we enjoy ourselves, aud enough Of anything
always satisfies me. How could | help en-
joying myself in a scene Of such life and ami
mostly as this 2" Very true, madam. ~
And then the lights, blazing like a conster-
nation, and the music and flowers make it
seem like Pharaoh land" The minister was
called away. and the master of ceremonies
! asked Mrs. =. if she would like AN ice, -
| which she family heard. "A nice - 2
she replied looking at him and hanging on
the long , as if it were the top bar of a
gate. "Oh, very" rush by the contest
ants in a game here broke in between them,
the band gave n crash, which seemed to start
the roof the mass of people waved to and
| fro, Ike started of with new crony in quest
Of some suggested peanuts, and Mrs. Par
| tington backed into "A seat. She looked
| pleasantly upon the moving spectacle through
her own parabOlas, her finger beat time to
| the music, and her 'oilfactories" inhaled the
| breath of flowers and the smell of coffee
| from an adjacent room, till she was becoming
! ''lost" when she realized that IA figure was
| standing before her, ard n cold spoon was be
| ing thrust into her right hand 1t was the
attentive manager again with an ice-cream
which be invited her to take. You are very
surprising, sir said she, smiling; II was
uncomfortable at the moment. Thank you
| will. / am very fond of ice-croam, and
| this is manila, too, which is my favorite. "
| She ate with sense Of enjoyment caught
! from the scene and went away soon after,
when Ike had joined her, with plethoric
| pockets, bidding the manager convey good
night from her to the party, saying she had
| enjoyed a real sociable time
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

The EFFECT OF ToBACCo on BOYS. When
boys are advised not to smoke on hygienic
grounds they laugh at the advice, and speak
of its givers as old fogies. But careful ex-
periments, lately made by physician of re-
pute proves that the practice is very iniuri-
GUS He took for his purpose 3s boys, from
to II, who had been in the habit of smok-
ing, and examined them closely. In % he
found obvious hurtful effects % having va
rous disorders of the circulation and diges-
ton, palpitation of the heart and more or
less craving for strong drink ~ of the boys
were frequently troubled with bleeding at the
nose 10 had disturbed sleep II had slight
liberation of the mucous membrane of the
mouth, which disappeared after discontinue
ton of tobacco for 10 or ~ days. The ply
scan treated them all for weakness and
nervousness though with little avail, until
they had relinquished smoking, when health
and strength were speedily restored. Even
if it be granted that smoking is not harmful
to adults. there is no doubt of its harmfuness
to the young. Dr. Ranking DIR. Richardson,
and others, who have made special study Of
the subject, all agree in declaring that it
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

How GEN. GRANT WENT TO WEST PoINT. -
A Columbus (Ohio) letter to the Cincinnati
Commercial relates the following entertaining
story on the alleged authority of Republican
ex- Congressman of that State, who says that
Gen. Grant told it to him just before his first
nomination for the Presidency: when
was a boy said Grant, living in Georgetown,
my mother ran out of butter one morning and
needing some before it could be had at the
store, she sent over to the next-door neigh
boris to borrow some. Well, was Just as
well acquainted there as was at home almost,
and opened the door and went in without
knocking and just as l went in one of the
folks, the old gentleman, believe, was read
ing a letter from a son who was in West
Point. Well, Ididnt want to disturb them while
they were reading the letter, and stood there
and heard what was read. Well, the son
said in this letter that he had been found
that is, he had failed to pass examination,
and he would have to come home, and he had
sent the letter one mail ahead SO that the
surprise at his return might not be so great.
Well when they got through l borrowed the
butter and took it home, and then rushed
down to Thomas L. Hamar's office-he was
our Congressman then-and l asked him if
he wouldn't send me to West Point. He told
me that he couldn't send me until this other
boy got through and that wouldn't be for
three years yet. But Hamar, said /, sup
pose this boy should fail to pass examination,
and should be sent home, will you send me
then?' We'll, Uly,' said he, I guess if he
can't pass there'd be no use of your trying it.
But want you to promise that you will send
me, said l. All right said he if he can't
get through l promise to let you try it..
Well during the day Hamar heard about the
other fellow, and the next day l went and
asked if he had heard the news. He said he
had, and after laughing at me for the way
had got him to make the promise, he said it
was all right, l should go. Well went, and
because my mother happened to be out of
butter has made me General of the Army of
the United States, and don't know, after all,
but what it may make me President.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

ABOUT NoRwAY.-Not land flowing with
milk and honey not land of olive-yards
and vineyards, of southern skies and etfemi-
nate luxurauce, of Spanish dances and Italian
serenades, of soft intrigues and quick reveng-
es that wait upon life itself Not land of
fragrant breezes where the nightingale sings
to his mate, while the moon with her train of
satellites in stately dignity rises in the dark
blue dome, bathing the earth in a silvery
flood, the while lovers pace romantic ruins
washed by broad flowing Rhine or a stern
er Danube, or lnger in the bowers on the
banks of the soft blue waters of a Moselle
lovers whose lips are silent for bliss that is
filling their hearts with an emotion for which
an eternity would be too short, and life, alas,
often proves but too long. Not this But a
land of eternal SHOWS, whose mountain-tops
are fraught with a mystery of silence that is
never broken, where the foot of man never
falls of gigantic icebergs, of rushing streams,
of grand waterfalls, and mighty cataracts that
seem to multiply as you progress through the
country. A land which owes everything to
nature and nothing to man; where ruins are
not. and the nightingale's song is unheard,
and bowers of roses may be read about but
scarcely seen A land scautily peopled but
peopled by men and women honest and fear
less simple and genuine, frank and hOspita-
ble-until day will come when mixture with
the world which seeks them more and more
year by year, may give the faults of that
world, and take from them their best herit-
age-a single eye, q simple faith, an upright
ness of purpose rare as beautiful after 5000
years of leveling A land where railroads are
scarce, and travelling is long ana laborious
but very pleasant. A land not pampered by
the refined luxury of the age, the squander-
ing of wealth in pomp and vanity, purple and
fine linen; but n land Of stern realities,
where wealth is rare, and each mans inheri-
tance is labor and toll. A land with bright
bracing air coast iron-bo and full of
wonders. land that reminds us in a meas
ure of that city that hath no foundations,
where there is mo night" for here during
some portion of the year, the sun never sets,
and darkness falls not.-IHe ArgOsy.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

causes in them impairment Of growth, prema-
ture virility, and physical degradation. One
of the worst effects is the provocation of an
appetite for liquor, which, indeed, is not con-
fined to the young, but which grown persons
are better able to manage Where boys
drink to excess, they are almost invariably
smokers, and it is very rare to find a man
over-fond Of spirits who is not addicted to
tobacco. Men who want to give up drinking
usually have to give up smoking at the same
time for they say that a cigar or pipe
generally exctes desire for liquor very hard
to control " y Times
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

Mr.. G. was pastor OF a Baptist church in a
certain town in one of the Western States.
He had been on very bad terms with his
flock for some time. They abused him when
ever they could find occasion, and he recipro-
Gated with equal readiness. Before his con-
tract with the parish expired, he received the
appointment OF chaplain at the State Prison.
Elated at this lucky opportunity of getting
rid of him, the congregation came in full
numbers to hear his farewell sermon, perhaps
less TO compliment than to annoy him with
their presence. Great was their astonishment,
and still greater their anger, when the rever-
end gentleman chose for his text the follow
ing words ~ go to prepare a place for
you, ......that ,ohere I an, there ye may be
also"
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

Two women were overheard discussing
family affairs at watering-place, last Sum-
mer. One was a -ist and the others
sect the bishop, with pronounced courtesy,
declined TO give name 10" in that audience.
The son of the-ist had recently become
engaged TO marry "a church girl, and on in
quiry the nameless seotary found that the
prospective mother-in-law approved the
match. ''Yes sister Jones, she does seem 70
be a nice girl, and don't know as John could
minutes, TO be broken finally by sister Jones's
voice, demanding in tones deepened and
muffied to becoming solemnity, "Is-She-Pi-
Gus" Johns mother obviously WINGED and
Writhed under this home thrust, but At last
rallied sufficiently TO stammer out, well
she's 'Piscopal piOus."
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

The venerable Carlyle writes, in late let
ter to friend: "The very consequences of
evil actions die away and become abolished
long before eternity ends That it is only the
consequences of good actions that are eternal,
for these are in harmony with the laws of
this universe and add themselves to it, and
cooperate with it forever; while all that is in
disharmony with it must necessarily be with
out continuance and soon fall dead" And
then he illustrates his theory by calling his
correspondent to remember the psalm singing
among the Scotch mountains, with which
both, no doubt, were quite familiar. Pretty
rough music, beyond question-some of it ;
but as one listens at distance, the discordant
notes drop out, and all comes to an attentive
ear solidly harmonious and richly sweet.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

The man Who climbs to belief in God and
Immortality through the struggle of doubt,
will have deeper convictions of such truths
and greater confidence in their reality.
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23
NO. IT,.

pers to be carved on his tomb, with the la
comic epitaph, Exactly. Notes and Queries
Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-04-23

VALUABLE MILL PROPERTY FOR
SALE AT WEST BRATTLEBORO, containing
ahlhg machine circular, band aud other saws, with
all IN good repair. Best water power on milestone
broqk For particulars enquire of T.. f. FISHER,
on the premises. tfl
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26

II the collar or cuff b too stiff ~ but
ton easily, press the finger . little
dampened with water TO the BUTTON hole,
and you VIII have no further trouble.
To RESTORE color when acid has been
dropped on any article OF clothing. APP
ply liquid ammonia TO kill the acid |;
then apply ohloroform 70 restore the
color.
CARPETS should be thoroughly beaten
ON the wrong side first, and then on the
right, after which spots may be removed
by the use Of ox-gan or ammonia and
water.
To KEEP seeds from, the depredations
of mice, mix some pieces of camphor
with them. OamphOr placed In trunks
or drawers will prevent mice from doing
them injury.
To CLEAN gold: Powder some whit
ing, and make II into o moist paste with
some sal volatile. Cover over the gold
ornaments and surface with soft brush,
let it dry, and then brush + of with q
moderately-hard brush.
To JOIN alabaster. Ornaments OF ala
baster or plaster may be joined together
by means Of little white Of an egg,
thickened with fnely-powdered quick
lime, or by mixture of nswly-baked
and finely-powdered plaster Of Paris,
mixed up with the least possible guam
tity of water.
To REPAIR damaged mirror Pour
upon a sheet of tin foil about three
drachms of quicksilver 10 the square
foot of foil. Rub smartly with piece
of buckskin until the foil becomes brill
iant Lay the glass upon fiat table,
face downward place the foil upon
the damaged portion OF the glass I;
lay sheet OF pafeg over the foil, and
place upon it block of wood or piece
of marble with perfectly fiat surface !;
put upon il sufficient weight to press it
down tight; let it remain In this posi-
ton few hours. The foil viii adhere
to the glass.
1T is said that pencil drawings may
be rendered ineffaceable by this simple
process Slightly warm sheet of or
binary drawing paper, then place it
carefully on the surface of O solution of
white resin in alcohol, leaving it there
long enough to become thoroughly
moistened. Afterward dry it In cur
rent of air. Paper prepared in this
way has very smooth surface. In or
der to fix the drawing the paper is to be
warmed for few minutes This method
may prove useful for the preservation of
plans or other designs, when the want
of time, or any other cause, will not al
low Of the draughtsman reproducing
them in ink, A simpler plan than the
above, however, is to brush over the
back of the paper containing the char
coal or pencil sketch n weak solution OF
while shallsc in alcohol.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26

The fear of the weather has sent multi
tudes to their graves who otherwise
might have lived in health many years
longer. The fierce north wind and the
furious srow-storm Kill comparatively
few, while hot winter rooms and crisping
summer suns have countless hecatombs
of human victims to attest their power.
Except In localities where malignant
miasmata prevail, and that only in warm
weather, outdoor life is the healthiest
and happiest, from the tropics to the
poles.
The general fact speaks for itself, that
persons who are out-of-doors most take
cold least. In some parts of our coun-
try near one-half of our adult deaths are
from diseases of the air-passages. These
ailments arise from taking cold in some
way or another; and surely the reader
will take some interest in q subject which,
by at least one chance out Of four, his
own life may be lost.
ALI colds, we believe, arise from one Of
two causes.
l. By getting cool too quickly after
exercise, either as to the whole body or
any part of it.
2. BY being chilled. and remaining SO
for long time, from want of exercise.
To avoid colds from the former, we
have only to go to fire the moment the
exercise ceases, In the winter. If in the
summer, repair at once to closed room,
and there remain with the same clothing
on until cooled off.
To avoid colds from the latter cause,
and these engender the most speedily
fatal diseases, such as pleurisies, Group,
and inflammation of the lungs, called
pneumonia, we have only to compel our
selves to walk with sufficient vigcr to
keep off feeling of chiliness Atten-
ton to precept contained in less than
dozen words would add twenty years
to the average of civilized life.
Keep away chilliness by exercises cool
off slowly. Then you viii never take
cold. indoor or out.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26

Every newspaper reader has heard OF
Malone, of Virginia. He is the leader
OF the Readjusters and the biggest man
In the State.
While Malone is big man In infu-
ence, ne Is a small man In stature, small
er even than Alexander n. Stephens,
and weighs less than 100 pounds. He
has the frame of woman, but the will
of giant, or, at least, such as giant
ought to have in proportion to his size.
In his movements he Is quick and nerv-
GUS. He Is about five feet three inches
high, has q large. dnely-shsped head,
irou-gray hair and beard, gray eyes, and
heavy eyebrows, dresses plainly, and is
about 81 years old.
Malone is self-made man. He was
born in Virginia, and for that reason ex-
erts an influence that one occupying his
position, but born outside Of the State,
never could His education was largely
obtained at the Virginia Military Insti-
tute, scholarship In which he won in
a competitive examination. He started
In the business of life as chain carrier
In railroad engineer corps. From
that humble position he gradually rose
to the Presidency of q railroad company,
and ut one time controlled . system Of
railroads from Norfolk to the Missis-
sippi. He was General in the Con-
fedsrate army, and Gen. Robert e. Lee
is reported to have said that "I would
rather have him, his Judgment sagacity,
and executive ability, than any General
1 have. If I should retire from the
command Of the army, I should recon-
mend Malone for my place" Malone
was the author and executor of the
plan to blow mp Grants Notifications
around Petersburg. Of which city he is
now q resident -Csn0trH06 CONNER
f{ryf
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26
Wearing q Mask.

What a good thing it would be If women
would only speak their minds. There is
nothing that honest men desire more than
to understand that mysterious race that
is so like them, and yet so unlike, who
share their homes but not their thoughts,
who are 30 shrewd, so practical and SO
irrational. The poor men yearn the
break down the invisible barrier and see
into the real life of those they love SO
well; but the loved ones smile and chat
ter and say pretty things, and ingenious
things and things they have borrowed
from men and improved in the borrowing,
but never one word of the real thoughts
that are working in their busy brsins.
So the men fatter and he because they
think the women like it, and the women
accept it all because they think it is mans
nature; and the men think women
empty-headed angels, and the women
think men are fine intelligent brutes; and
the two classes 60 on loving and despis-
ing one another accordingly, and all for
the want Of little truthfulness in con-
yersatiOn.
The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-11-26

Az the ancient Greeks had no cotton
nor silk, and very little linen, and as
sleeps wool was the principle texture
from which their clothes were made,
they took peculiar care to cultivate with
especial care such breeds of sheep as
produced very fine wool. Such breeds
were those of the Greek city of Tarentum,
situated on the Tarentine Guh. In or
der to improve the fine quality Of the
wool still more, the sheep were covered
with cOthes In cold weather, as it was
found by experience that exposure to
cold made the wool coarser. Thus cloth
ing these sheep from generation to gen.
Grafton resulted in very delicate breed
with exceedingly fine wool, according to
the law established by Darwin in regard
to selection and adap6n TO exterior con-
ditions.
This product of Greek industry was
transmitted by them to the Romans,
whose great agricultural author, Oolun-
ella, states that his uncle in Spain crossed
the fine Tarentine sheep with rams i'm
ported from Africa, and obtained q
stronger breed, combining the Wilderness
of fleece Of the father with the fineness
of the fleece of the mother, and having
obtained such results the race was per-
petuated. The absence Of other fine
textures made these Spanish sheep so
valuable that in the beginning of our era
they were sold in Rome for 81 900 in gold
head, an enormous price for those times,
when money had much more value than
now.
When the barbarians invaded Italy
these sheep were all extermfnated, while
the greater portion of the Roman pos
sessions were laid waste. But in the less
accessible mountains of Spain the Moors
preserved the breed, and it is to them
that modern Spain owes the merino
sheep, which are the direct descendants
of this cross breed Of the Greek and AZ
rioan ancestors referred to. 1t is vaa-
liable inheritance, too, which that ooun-
try owes to the combined Greek, Roman,
and Moorish civilization, and Of which
our California wool-growers also earn the
advantages, by the prosperity of this
breed Of sheep, whish was there low
years ago.