davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
Color OF Lightning.

The color Of lightning is altogether
due to the nature Of the substance
which is made incandescentin in its track.
The blue, red, purple or silver tints,
which are ordinarily much more bril-
iantly marked in warm climates and
intertropical countries than they ever
are in England, are due to the same
circumstances as the color which is de.
signedly communicated to the light Of
different kinds OF fireworks.
1t is a result of the intrinsic natures
OF the vaporized PARTICLES which are
made to shine. The vapor from iron
has one kind OF sheen and the vapor of
sulphur another. Each different foreign
ingredient that floats in the air has its
own proper hue, which it can communi-
cate to the lightning.
The broad flashes of light that appear
In the clouds during a thunderstorm,
and that are distinguished as sheet
lightning, are very often merely the re-
hections from the cloud mist of the dis
charges that pass from one part TO
another with each redistribution OF the
internal charge, as the tension at the
outer surface is changed by an external
flash.
This redistribution Of the internal
charge is sometimes also marked by
very beautiful lines OF corruscation
plying upon the dark background as
the storm drifts away.
There is a table mountain few miles
away from Picrtermaritzburg, in Natal,
over which this kind of display is con-
tinually exhibited.
The retreating storm clouds linger
over the fat top of this mountain.
where they can be seen from the CITY in
the advancing night.
In this dark canopy of the mountain
bright corruscations, accompanying each
redistribution Of the electric charge.
can be watched for hours at q time
now assuming the form OF coronals OF
electric fire, now running along in ma.
chiolated horizontal lines Just above
the fat top of the mountain, and nov
radiating out in all directions from q
central loop, like the cracks of starred
glass.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS.


Carbonic acid forms about 1-1OOO of
the entire atmosphere.
Chemical action is always accom-,
panied by increase of temperature.
Between 600 and 700 different forms
nave been distinguished in snow crys-
tails.
fure water may be obtained from that
which IL impure, or from brine. by dis
tillation.
Articles of food which would soon de-
cay if exposed to the air may be long
preserved in vacuum.
In Switzerland the temperature Of the
bottom Of deep, snow-fed lakes remains
uniform during the year.
Respiration is slow combustion, in
which carbon and other ingredients If
the blood combine with oxygen.
To produce a change in the pitch Of
notes We have only TO make difference
Of l-l2OO Of an inch in the vocal chords
A composition of two metals may be
more tenacious than either Of them sep
arately. Brass made Of zinc and copper
has more tenacity than either.
Why will not grass grow under our
trees? NJ. Paul Bert has shown that
green light hinders the development of
plants. Plants inclosed in green glass
frame wither and die as though they
were in darkness. NJ. Regnard finds
that plants specially require the red
rays. If sunlight is deprived of the red
rays the plants soon cease to thrive.
Electric lamps are extremely attract
i've to insects of various orders. The
writer noticed clouds Of them about tie
/ lights used for the illumination Of Pros
/ pect park and Niagara Falls last sum
mer. Their shadows on the lawns and
walks, sharply defined, gigantic, and
/ crazily active, made a pantomime ~
fantastic and weird as it was amusing.
This artificial sunlight is likely to be
come a favoritc hunting ground for the
7 cutomolopist.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
Fashion Faucie=.

Blue and white ma.,ings are liked
for bedrooms by ladies who are tired of
green and white and red and white
checks.
China Grape dresses with printed
borders are made mp over slips of silk
matching the Grape, and over white
satin slips.
Softness is essential in black silks
this summer. A gown that can stand
alone is usually left ts stand without
being worn by any woman.
Fans match the costume and are
made of the same material OF the dress.
Very often this idea is carried ont with
regard to the shoes or sandals.
Lace pins are more Of necessity than
ever this season, for nearly all of the
innumerably pretty things worn about
the neck require some fastening.
Evening dresses for young misses are
made princesse style, laced up the back.
and are worn high in the neck with
Stuart collar and short sleeves.
The summer woolen stuffs with wide
stripes bear more painful resemblance
to furniture covers than any material
that has appeared for some time.
The high Medicis collars shown upon
imported costumes are covered with n
seed pearl, jet, cashmere or iris-tented
beads, or rich embroidery, and are
stiffened with fine wire to keep them in
place.
Ladies who possess the lace sacks of
thread or lama, at present so completely
ont of style, are making them over into
the pretty Stuart collars, pointed fichus,
and antique shoulder capes now in
vogue
Grape draperies and waists of Grape
appear on the colored dresses made for
young ladies TO wear in the evening.
The idea originated with . dressmaker
who appreciated the becomingness Of
tho Grape waists worn for mourning.
Muslin is made into soft putfs with
sherringa in the center for collarcttea.
which are exceedingly becoming. and a.
they require no ironing, needing only TO
be washed and to have a pencil passed
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
News and Notes Tor Women.

Two girls at Waupaca, Or, tossed up
for lover, and the loser acted as bride
maid at the wedding.
4 sentimental woman at Mnyyillc,
Canada, has put strong iron fence
around tho tree whcro9n a sweetheart Of
youthful days once carved her name.
A woman Of iitty-scvcn isapplying for
her third divorce from q man Of sixty
four, in Davenport, Iowa, the grounds
being the same as in two previous cases
cruel treatment.
4 man jus.iiics his mcauness toward
his wife by asserting that he and she are
one, and, therefore, 10y refusing TO fur
nish her money he practices the heroic
virtue Of sclf-dcnial
In Tdnis, as elsewhere in Africa, cx-
cessiye stoutncss is considered a mark
Of female beauty. Women are fed for
this purpose like cattle when trimming
for an agricultural show.
Asixtccn-ycar-old daughter Of Richard
MiFncr, Of GHnin's Corners, y. y,
weighs only ;hirty pounds. She is only
three feet in height, and speaks in such
q peculiar manner that few except her
parents can understand her.
A Washington girl has highly inter.
csting hair. It's color used 20 bc Il light
blonde. DR.. d. ". Prcuiiss reports to
tho Smithsonian institution that he gave
her iaborandi, . Brazilian plant, as a
cure for blood poisoning. Her hair
soon began 20 darkcn, and in fouI
months was almost black
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.

Belief is not in our power but truth
fulncss is.
Life is too shor, for its possessors to
wear long faces
4 sensual deposition deforms The
Landsomcs' features.
Divine vengeance comes with feet Of
lead, but strikes with hands Of iron.
Henccds no other rosary whose thread
of life is strung with beads Of love and
thought
lie who, with good health, hos n true
friend, may laugh a1ver5iiy TO sron
and defy the world.
Tme bencvolcuce is to love all men.
Rccompensc injury with Justice, aud
kindness with kindness.
This is the prcsen. reward Of yir,uour
conducl-:hat no unlucky consequence
can obligc rs to regret It.
Flowers svectcn the air, rejoice the
eye, link us with nature and innocence,
and are something 20 love.
Venture not into the company Of those
that are infected with the plagle; no,
though thou think thyself guarded with
an antidote.
To pronounce man happy merely
because he is rich, is just as absurd as
to pronounce a man healthy merely be.
cause he has enough 10 eat
No man ought 20 complain il the
world measures him as he measures
others. To measure one with his own
yardstick may be hard, hut it is fair
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07

through them in order 10 restore them
to their pristine freshness, they are
likely 10 be fayorites with ladies who do
not like to pay heavy laundry bills.
There is new quality OF sateen called
sateen foulard, which greatly resembles
Indian silk in it's appearance. II comes
in variety Of designs, Egyptian, baya-
dere stripes, checks and plaids-multi-
colored over grounds of almond, gray,
pale blue, etc. Princesse polonaises are
made OF these fabrics, trimmed with
fancy lace. They are worn over linen
skirts Of a monochrome color, the skirts
being trimmed with tiny ruilles Of the
same goods.
American as we'll as European ladies
are Bcintillating in a perfect armor Of
jets and beads. Whole cuirass bodices,
tabliers, skirts, panels, dolmans, shoul-
der capes, bonnets and slippers are
covered with beaded embroidery. Ele-
giant costumes Of black are sparkling
like "coats Of mail with dense Gov
cring Of jet and steel, and delicate
toilets of white brocade, satin and tullc,
are embellished with marvellous designs
wrought in beads Of pearl, gold, silver,
cryaal and other beads resembling
costly gems. Tabliers, panels and por-
tions Of the corsage are each worked
with a special design composed to suit
its particular shape although uniform on
the whole.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
: novel Dress.

One of the ladies at Queen Victorin's g
latest drawing room was dressed like n
pursuiyant or herald, cmblazoned all
over with her own coat of-arms. Her
gown was Of sort OF lavender satin,
with a train Of the same lined with
black velvet. All down her back was
heraldic dcvices-coat, supporters,
crest, motto and all. Across her breast
she wore a sash, repeating the coat-of.
arms smaller The whole turn out il
said TO have been {" a trihe loud"
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07

ford field alone. These magazines each
contain from 1000 TO 10000 pounds OF
the explosive. While the appraisers
were cautiously creeping about in one
OF them which contained 1000 pounds
driver of Roberts nitro -glycerine
wagon came tearing up to the safe with
his team ut the usual break neck rate.
He had been out torpedoing wells. He
had seven twenty.pound cans left.
These he brought into the magazine
carrying two under each arm, one in
each hand and rolling the other along
on the floor of the safe with his foot.
The six cans he tumbled on the floor as
if they were sticks of wood The APP
praisers lost no time in getting out OF
that magazine.
When a nitro-glycerine wagon is met
on the road every other vehicle gives il
all the way its driver sees fit to ask.
The carrying OF this explosive in any
but the wagons arranged for it's trans.
portation is forbidden by law, but it is
not an uncommon thing to see some
daredevil driver iolting over the rough
roads with cans of it knocking about in
the bottom Of an ordinary wagon. Car
rying nitro -glycerine through towns is
punishable by heavy fines; but as it re-
quires rather bold officer to chase
man who is carrying with him material
that may explode at any moment, it is
not an exceedingly rrc aight to sec
drivers on their way to Hei.s taking "A
short and easier cut through towns and
villages with their stock Of nitrJ .glyccr-
inc. A driver was some time ago dis.
covered passing through one OF the
Bradford suburbs with n load OF nitro.
glycerine. The residents protested, and
an officer halted the man 10 arrest him.
The driver took one OF his cans, raised
it above his head, and informed the
crowd that if any one attempted to IN
terfcre with him he would throw the
can against o rock by the roadside not
three feet avay% Tho mau wasa moon.
lighter, and from his reputation tho
crowd believed that he would like moth
ing better than blowing 70 the town
and It's inhabitants, even il he disap-
pearcd in pieces 81 the same time; so
they allowed him 10 pass on. Ne,r
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
Swimming.

Every boy aud girl should H.. taught
to swim, and be trained to it. Most
boys learn Of Themselves. while the re-
verse is true OF most girls. This latter
fact is n grave mistake. The mistake is
more serious than formerly, because 80
large a portion of our population spend
weeks or months every year at our
watering places, and because travel on
river, lake and ocean, and sailing in
boats and yachts for pleasure have in
creased TO such an extent. For these
reasons as we'll as others n knowledge Of
the art has become q necessity. The
lives that were recently lost in conse-
quence Of the collisions and burning Of
steamboats, might most of them have
been saved had all the passengers
known how to swim.
The mere consciousness OF ability TO
swim and the feeling of familiarity with
deep water that II creates, would either
prevent or greatly diminish the panics
that are so disastrous in cases Of acci-
dents on the sea. Besides this the in
ability to swim of persons who are in
the water when disaster has occurred,
greatly imperils the lives of those who
can swim and are abundantly able to
care for themselves; for the swimmers
are often overpowered by the wild
clinging to them Of the luckless persons
who are drowning near by. The timo
to learn TO swim is in childhood and
youth, and every parent should see TO
IL that all his children become experts
in the art. II is an easy art to learn.
There are people who live in boats
whose children even swim like kittens.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
LADIES' DEPARTMENT.
Gloves.

In gloves for summer wear the mittf
OF black and colored sewing silk,
netted and embroidered, arc exceedingly
popular and are duplicated in mohair
and cotton for those who cannot afford
the more expensive grades. Silk and
Isle thread gloves and mitts come in
all the new lace designs, and are either
with long or short wrists, as may be
most desired. Some have long, loose
rumpled wrists, without buttons or
elastic, that are never expected to be in
place, but are considered very stylish.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07

The dIme-novel readers would rejoice
in Buckshot Bill, of Nevada. He speaks
twenty-five Indian tongues. Once he
saw eleven comrades burned alive by
the Comanches, signed with his blood a
vow to have the scalps of eleven Indians
who killed his brother and stole his dia-
mond pin, and has on exhibition III
scalps taken by his own hands. He is q
scout after the boys own heart.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
FREAKS OF LIGHTNING.

The Rev. J. b. Evans and his son-in-
law, of Brookville, Pa, were killed
while planting corn. =
In storm at La Sale, ILL.,, one man,
thirteen head of stock and large
amount of farm machinery were de-
stroyed by lightning.
There were twelve horses in barn in
Bloomington, ILL.,, when it was struck
10y lightning. A $1,000 stallion, the
only animal of value, was killed.
At Lynn, Mass, lightning entered the
house of Mrs. Charles Hawkes., ripped
up the carpets, upset the furniture and
set clothing in a closet on fire.
Two brothers named Bowen, plow-
ing in field near Clarlsville, Ark,
we've Instantly killed by lightning
Every bone in their bodies was broken.
Mrs. Alexander and her three chill
dren were instantly killed at their home
at Habersham, Ga, and John Lannone.
of Galloway county, Ny. aged twenty
years, was killed while standing beside
2 crib with arms folded.
During a recent storm at Troy. n.
T., Jacob Thersduenof went to the tel.
ephone to answer a call. AS he was
replacing the receiver on the hook the
lightning struck his hand, mangling it
terribly and paralyzing his arm.
The first death by lightning ever re-
corded in Nevada occurred recently in
Virginia City, the victim being China
man. In the same storm bolt Clipped
out fifty tons of rock from cliff and
sent it down the mountain into tho
valley.
Robert Burns, living near New Hamp-
ton, Iowa, while planting corn, was
struck by lightning and instantly killed.
John Fry, while herding cattle near
Williamsport, Pa, had Just reached
tree for shelter when a lightning flash
struck him dead.
While Frank Patterson, : bachelor
residing on Big Creek, Kansas. was
cooking his breakfast his clothes were
peeled from him in an instant and he
was hurled naked upon the floor. The
same bolt passed ont of his heels
through the floor anu killed five chick.
ems. Patterson recovered.
When lightning struck the residence
OF DR.. NJ T. Baldwin, of Geneseeyille,
Mich, every window in the house was
shattered. The bolt entered the chin.
ney' followed the stovepipes and ruined
every stove in the house. The doctor
had two-year.old child in his arms.
The fluid struck him on the shoulder.
passed down between him and the
child, scorched his entire side and went
into his boot and tore it into pieces.
As it left his foot cloud OF smoke
burs. from il.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07

One of the prettiest scrap-bags for
sitdng-room or bedroom is made in a
simple manner by taking a good-sizod
japanese paasol, or small umbrella,
take u piece of fine wire and make in a
ring, catch it to the partly-opened par
asol with thread. tie n bright ribbon to
the handle. or course this is service
able only for bits Of paper and light
scraps
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07
Some Of The Grcaf RrIdrcs.

Robert Stephenson, great engineer as
he was, reported that suspension bridges
would never do for steam. John A.
Roebling answered with the Niagara
suspension bridge, the cheapest structure
and one Of the best ever built for such
q necessity.
IL Monai strait, which divides an
island from the northwestern corner Of
Wales, the tide rises 10 the height Of
thirty feet sometimes, and generally
twelve feet. The British government
erected a bridge on the great high road
from England to Ireland over this strai,
in 1926. IT is suspension bridge built
b. Telford on chains, and cost 5000. 900
lToldl At that time. II is 100 feet above
water. Twenty years afterward Geo! &c
Stephenson began to build the tubular
bridge three miles above, spanning the
same strait. 1t took five years, and
trains crossed it in 1850. Ii has four
spans, the two in tho middle being 460
fee; wide each, and the whole bridge is
about l,Si0 feet long. II is 123 feet
above high-water mark, and cost
1000, 600.
The Niagara suspension bridge, built
by Eoebling in IS52, cost only $780,
0c0, is 500 feet long, $50 feet above the
river, and its towers are about eighty
four feet high. The Niagara foot
bridge, built in, 1869, cost S175, 600, and
was said to be, when opened, the longest
suspension bridge in the world or
l,26s feet between towers.
The Cincinnati suspension bridge, by
RoeblinR, stands next to the East river
bridge, and is 1867 feet between tow
ers and 1859 between the ends: the
bride is l03 feet above low wa.er. the
towers are 80 feet high, and each is
taller and larger than the Bunker Hill
monument, and the structure cost
81, l,S00. 600; il was built by company.
and charges three cents toll per man.
This bridge has been in most useful
operation since about 1867; Il was
eleven years between its commence
ment and opening
Roebliug, the protector Of the Brook.
lyn bridge, was the greatest bridge.
builder in the world He started the
making Of wire cUrlage in America, and
built suspension bridges TO carry the
acqueducts of canals across rivers, and
engineered the Pennsylvania railroad
across the mountains. The Brooklyn
bridge, between towers, is 1886 feet
long. Behind the towers there are $40
feet each side. back TO the anchorages.
The whole length Of the bridge and ap.
proaohes is 5000 feet. II is one Of the
widest bridges in the world. eighty five
feet, with a promenade thirteen feet
wide, two railroad tracks and four car
riage and two horse-car tracks. 1t Is
l35 feet in the center above the water.
The rock on which the towers rest i
about ninety feet below The surface Of
the water on the New York side, and
half that depth on the Brooklyn side
the most stupendous thing about the
structure. Each tower Is l34 feet long
by fifty-six vide, and at the top these
dimensions are reduced 10 l20 feet by
forty, or the sise of > very large house.
Each tower is a6s feet above high water.
Il Is 1880 feet from the beginning q.
the causeway on Chatham street ont to
the anchorage on the New York shore.
Tho architect Of the bridge received his
death wound almost al il irceu4ion
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-07

Mr.. Edwin Booth dined with che
Prince Of Wales.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-20
YORKTOWN.
Celebrating the Centennial of COrnwallls's
Surrender.

Celebrating the Centennial of Cornwallis's
Surrender.
Yesterday being the Tooth anniversary
of the surrender OF Cornwallls, was the
principal day Of the celebration at York
town. The exercises at the grand stand
consisted of prayer by Bishop Harris {; ad-
dresses Oy President Arthur, n. Max Out
rey, tie Marquis de Rochambeau, and
Bar N Steuben an grafton by Hon. Robert
{. Winthrop the reading Of 4 Centennial
poem by James Barron Hope, of Virginia,
and the singing of Centennial OGe, the
Star Spangled Banner. etc. After the cere
monies there was public reception in La
fayette hall. During tho exercises all
order was read by Secretary Blaine, direct
ing, in recognition of the friendly feeling
between Great Britain and the United
States that at the close Of the .cOmmem-
Orative ceremonies the British flag "shall
be saluted by the forces of the army and
navy OF the United States now at York
town."
The centennial anniversary Of the Sur
render of CORVALLIS at Yorktown, was
celebrated yesterday in Charleston,
South Carolina. At sunrise = salute Of
13 guns was fired by the Yeomanry Artil-
lery, and ct noon st. Mary's cemetery,
where the two daughters of Admiral Dc
Grasse arc buried, was thrown open to the
public and visited by thousands Of persons.
The tomb of Dc Grasses daughters was
surrounded by canopy OF MOSES and
flowers, ard covered with wreaths and
garlands.
Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-10-20
TELEGRAPH CONTROVERSY.
The MCCual Union vs.. Western Union

The Mutual Union vs.. Western Union.
The Mutual Union telegraph company
furnish for publication letter sent to the
officers Of the Western Union telegraph
company, dated New York. October 10.
The letter states that the Mutual Union
officers have in their possession $3.50 in
United States notes, which sum was paid
by Western Union officers and directors to
4 clerk in the employment Of the con-
tractors building the lines Of the Mutual
Union telegraph company, to induce him
to steal from his employers for the benefit
of the Western Union telegraph company,
certain documents and extracts from doc
uments, which it was hoped might be
used to the injury of the Mutual Union
telegraph company. They also have ap
original letter of one of the directors of the
Western Union telegraph company, direct
ing the payment of the money to the
clerk, and requesting that one of the
documents thus to be obtained from
him should be delivered to the general
manager of the Western Union telegraph
company also, the receipt for the paper
delivered. which receipt discloses upon its
face a knowledge of the source from
which the paper was obtained also, q
memorandum in the handwriting of an
officer of the Western Union telegraph
company certifying certain additional in
formation which the clerk was expected
to procure also, an autograph letter by
director offering to provide the clerk with
a situation at salary of 81, 900 per an
mum in the event Of his losing his present
situation.
The letter closes by sarcastic:lly ap-
peaiing to tho Western Union to cease
tampering with their employees and offer
ing to return the $3.50 if application is
made.