davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
The Center of Population,

What statisticians understand by the
term center of population, it may be
well to explain, is the point at which
equilibrium would be reached we're the
country taken as a plane surface with
out weight, but capable of sustaining
weight, and the inhabitants distributed
over it in number and position as they
are found at the period under consider
alton, each inhabitant being supposed
to be OF equal weight, and consequently
to exert pressure on the pivotal point
in direct proportion to his distance
therefrom. The first census of the
United States, taken in 1890, showed
the center of population to be on the
eastern shore OF Maryland, about
twenty-five miles from Baltimore, and
near the thirty-ninth parallel of lati-
Jude, From that point it has moved
westward at the average rate of about
fifty-one miles in decade, never devi
ating as much as degree tC the north
or south of the thirty ninth parallel.
In 1880 the center was near the vii
lage of Taylorsville, KY, about eight
miles west by south of Cincinnati. the
westward progress being fifty-eight
miles, and the DETECTION to the south
about eight. The census of 1890 will
probably discover in Jennings county,
in Southeastern Indiana. If there is nc
great change in the rate of Western
movement of population, the central
point, still travelling, as it doubtless
will, on line closely corresponding to
the thirty-ninth parallel OF latitude
will not cross the Mississippi river un.
til 1850, when it will be found not fai
from the mouth of the Missouri. 1t is
not improbable, however, that it will
never reach that stream, but will re,
main nearly stationary somewhere in
Southern Illinois. There are large
areas of country in the far West unfit
for habitation, save where deposits
OF the precious metals are
found, and other considerable
areas where grazing, which supports but
a scanty population, will always be the
chief industry. The increase of popu-
lation in the trans-Mississippi regior
may not, therefore, much more thar
counterbalance the increase in the Older
settled portion of the country after the
,, close of the present century. In esti
mating the changes and progress of the
future We must not forget that, marvel
GUS as is the growth of the new West
it is only little more rapid than tha
of the great middle region between the
Hudson and the Mississippi. The State
of New York, it must be remembered
added 100000 to her population be
tween 1870 and 1880. Pennsylvania
100000, and Ohio 532 0CO. The in
crease in each of these old States woult
made Western State as populous a
Nebraska.-NeU York Tribune.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
How the Patient Paid.

Among the leading medical special
lists of the French capital is fashion
able physician who processes to cure all
the ills that flesh is heir to by olfactory
treatment. A wealthy Briton not long
ago crossed the Channel on purpose to
consult him. Having asked his visitor
a few curt questions respecting his
symptoms, and subjected him to care.
full auscultation, the doctor extracted a
bottle from drawer in his writing
table, uncorked it, and handed it to the
Englishman with the words, "Smell
it ~ adding, as soon as his command
had been obeyed, "That is well. You
are cured" Whatever surprise the pa
tient may have inwardly experienced at
being relieved of his malady with such
astounding mpitude and ease, he ex-
hibited no external sign of amazement
but, adopting the laconic style of his
professional adviser, calculated, "How
much? ?" "A thousand francs," was the
reply; whereupon, producing a bank
note to that amount from his pocket
book, he held it under the doctors nose
for few seconds, saying, "Smell it."
The astonished Rsculapius mechanical
ly complied. "That is we'll. You are
paid" calmly observed the English
man, pocketing the note: 81 have the
honor to wish you very good-morn-
ing" SO saying, he bowed politely, and
quilted the room.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
The Courtier's Reply,

An old Morse king, one dark and stormy night,
Sat with his courtiers in his windy hall.
The oak logs blazed, and shafts of ruddy liph,
Wavered like moving spears along the wall,
Without, like some old Viking armed for war.
The tempest wandered in his robe of rain.
Or, rushing with clamor from afar.
Roared through the castle, and was gone
again.
Inc monarch end his bearded courtiers sat
hii sileht round the fire, with downcast eye
"o soHnd within was heard, save when rat
Scampered across the floor, with dismal cry.
But suddenly bird, wet-winged and bright
Flashed over them, and vanished as it came.
Out of the night, it vanished into night,
AS brief and beautiful as a falling flame.
"such," said the king, "such is this life Of
moments passage through a lighted room:
One taste of this sweet breath-then deaf h
devours
Lifes transient day in its eternal gloom.
A moment no one spoke then, with tear,
An aged courter fastened to respond:
True, sire, the tired bird did not tarry here,
Because the nest God gave it lay beyond"
james Bucbhdn', in Lippincot.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
Opium In the United States.

Except China, it is said, the United
Gtates suffers more than any other from
the curse of opium. Its ravages are
chiefly among women. But neither sex
is wholly free from the power of the
evil, In the thriving city of Elmira,
N. Y, which when the census OF
1880 was taken had 20,541 population,
it has been aseertained that there are
100 confirmed opium eaters, and fifty to
100 more persons who use morphine
frequently and are likely to become
habitual users of the drug The statis-
tics We're obtained by a reporter of the
Elmira Ad0ertiSer, who questioned the
druggist of the town. They are not
exactly correct of course, but are
more likely to underrate the
number of persons in Elmira who
have formed or are forming the opium
habit. But if they are used as q basis
upon which to reckon the extent of the
opium evil in the United States, it
would be necessary to reckon ten opium
eaters to every 1000 of population.
This reckoning would give in round
numbers 100000 as the number Of
persons who use the drug, three
fourths of them regularly and the
other fourth frequently. And the curse
seems all the more terrible when it il
remembered that most of these victims
are women. The wretched opium dupel
would make city as large las Chicago
If gathered together from all parts O
the country. 1t is evident that reform
ers are needed to work against the us,
OF opium in the United States almos
If not quite as much as against the us.
of strong drink. = =
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01

season, but we all know where the
downward path ends. II Pamely Sem.
pie hadn't been sent away to that acad.
emy she might have been as likely and
well-behaved as any girl in Brimblecom
If she hadn't any faculty.
And with these remarks Mis- Ichabod
withdrew herself from the council.
On the even tenor of her way went
Pamela, working early and late with
her brush, and before long a report
found its way to Brimblecom that she
was considered remarkable artist, and
some things were evident to Brimble.
com senses; the mortgage was being
paid off, the crops were in prosperous
condition, and old Keturah was renew
ing her youth.
Brimblecom began to be proud Of
Pamela. It almost forgot that it had
ever been afraid she would become a
pauper. Nobody seemed to remember
that she had been thought to have no
faculty-nobody but the committee.
One or two persons. were actually
heard to say that it was pity she
wouldn't marry Mr.. Stockbridge, but
perhaps she had right to look higher
than She rest of the Brimblecom girls
Mis- Ichabod always shook her head
with mysterious meaning when Pamela
was mentioned, and said, grimly,
Them that lives the longest will see
most"
One day triumph came to Mis-
Ichabod.
The committee were in the postoffice
Mis- Ichabod and Mis- Hosea Blod.
gett were often SO kind as to assist Miss
Nancy Perkins in asserting the mail
when in came Mrs. Deacon Simmons,
who was fat and scant of breath, and in
such o state OF excitement that the
committee had, all and severally, to
fan her vigorously before her news
could be extracted.
"Don't you think, as true as I'm a
livin' woman and not corpse, as
might expect to be, hearin' such up
settin' things and hurryin' So"
"Go on, go on don't lose your
breath !" cried the committee, in chorus,
tanning vigorously. Well never
breathe it to soul."-
"Oh, it's all over Brimblecom. That
good-for-nothing cretur, Ben Seaverns,
has come back without hardly 80 much
as coat to his back, and the rheumatic
fever. Been cast away on desert island
and eat up by cannerbals most which
nobody can't say want exactly like him
and nothing but skin and bones, and
the doctor says most likely won't never
be good for anything again, not to NEIL
tion that he never was. And Pamely's
took him in, and she and Kentury s
a-nussin' him up. And that amt the
worst of it; the minister went up and
married 'em She's took that good.for-
nothin' cretur to take care of for life
her that might a-had the minister |"
"They never got me to believe that
she had any faculty." said Mis- Ichabod.
-Horper's Bozrr.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
SCIENTIFIC NOTES.

A frozen plant may be sometimes
preserved il plentifully drenched with
cold water, because the application of
the liquid produces a neutral thaw.
A healthy frog will remain alive for
days after the whole of its blood has
been withdrawn from the vessels and
replaced by a solution of common
salt.
One may become so accustomed to
opium as to be able to drink daily a
litre of laudanum, twenty drops OF
which would be strong medicinal dose
for non-habituated person.
From observations made during many
years in Senegal and other intertropi-
cal regions in Africa, DIR. A. Core is
inclined to believe that the African
blacks are destined in course OF time to
disappear and be supplanted by Euro
pean emigrants.
An Antwerp firm has patented means
of automatically playing musical instru'
ments by pneumatic and electro mag
netic appliances. The pneumatic ar.
rangements are for sounding reeds, and
theet of card, perforated according tc
the tune, makes and breaks electric
contact as it travels.
A French chemist is said to have OBJ
tanned a dense, black gum from the
outer Layers of the birch tree bark by
distillation, possessing all the ordinary
properties of gutta percha, and having
the additional merit of resisting the de-
teriorating influence of air and the cor
| nf
In seeking for a substance which
would destroy the microscopic animals
in water without injuring it for drink.
ing purposes, DR.. Langfelt found that
citric acid (one-half gramme to every
litre of the water) killed all the living
organisms, except cyclops and those
with thick epidermis, within two min
utes.
FOR the photography of birds in theil
different positions in flying Marcy EN-
p!oTs an instrument like rifle in shape
g,-ing twelve successive images pc
second, each image being taken in thu
LOO part of second. In bright sun
light the time of exposure is reduced
% the 1-1500 of second. These view
furnish an analysis of the motion o
Birds in flight which could not be oh
tanned before the perfection of the pro
cesses of instantaneous photography.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
A Boatman's IRadyertency.

The man was remarkably cool and
quiet under exciting conditions--a per-
feet specimen of self. control. Phleg.
matte in temperament his tranquility
could not be disturbed by anything
short of an earthquake, and in that
even he would be the last man to lose
his self-possession. My friends boat
man was directly the opposite of this.
He was small, thin, unAeshy, nervy,
quite tonguey, and, when in his judg
to the use of savory adjectives aud
scriptural Interpretations. Returning
home toward evening, when within a
mile of the hotel, my friend hooked a
largo muskallonge. He had out close
to 100 feet of line, when the fellow
struck with force that had the effect
of an electric shock. The dominic
gathered himself up for the contest, for
it was manifest from the start that the
fish meant fight, and fight he did most
nobly. He would rise, break the sur
face and then dive down,
down, deeper down, until the line
stood nearer perpendicular than
horizontal; then, rising again, he
would surge to the right and then to
the left. Meantime, hand over hand,
the dominic was shortening the distance
between himself and the fish, till only
about twenty feet remained, when the
struggle was renewed with increased
desperation. At this juncture the little
nervy boatman lost his self-control, and
seizing the line he tried his skill at pre-.
venting the fish from going under the
boat but, no use under the boat he
went, and rapidly rising, he soon broke
the surface on the other side, displayed
his full length above the water, dex.
terously threw the spoon rod away, and
bowling long farewell to his would-be
captors he returned to the deep to enjoy
his well-earned freedom. The little
boatman dropped the limp line, and,
standing erect, gesticulated with both
arms violently, swore .vociferously, and
relieving himself for few moments
thus, he stopped suddenly as if struck
by thunderbolt, and apologized for
his inadvertency, telling my friend that,
for the time being, he forgot that he
was a minister. -" H'r," IN Outing.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
PenuriOus Miss Burr.

The will of Miss Sarah Burr, who
died in New York recently, and who
gave thousands 10 charitable institu-
tions, was before Surrogate Rollins, an
effort being made to prevent its pro-
bate. The examination of James Nc
Cabe, formerly a servant of the late Miss
Burr, was held before Surrogate Rol-
Inns. He said that Miss Burr'a memory
was very bad. When question was
asked her she forgot it before she could
answer it. She told him to get her
medicines at any place where they could
be got "without money or price," He
was obliged to tell her that the medi-
cines were obtained for nothing at the
Bellevue hospital, because otherwise
che would not let him go for them.
He bought everything which was
used in the house. She always
thought everything he bonght
costly, and he always told her that
things cost less than they did; for in
stance, he told her that a steak cost
twelve cents when it cost thirty-fve
cents. Miss Burr spent almost all her
time in the kitchen, lying on three
chairs opposite the range; about all she
did was to eat and sleep. Miss Burr
never allowed fire to be madein any
part of the house except the kitchen.
The gas was only lighted in the kitchen
and sometimes in the hall. She died is
the kitchen on sofa. The only persons
present were witness and his mother
and the doctor. The only dresses
which she had were brought
into court. They were of
very common material, very dirty,
and faded and worn. The table which
she used in the kitchen is small pine
one, which never was painted; it is
covered with heavy coating of dirt.
Miss Burr's coffee was made in an iron
saucepan, which is badly burnt and
battered. Four spoons used by her
were also in court. They are apparent
ly of pewter or lead, and look as if their
size had been greatly reduced by long
use, IL knives which she used looked
as if they had been made out Of an old
iron hoop.
The description which McCabe gave
OF Miss Burr's habits was hardly cred
ible. The witness said that Miss Burr
did not know the day of the week or
of the month. Once when the sun was
shining she asked him whether it was
raining. Miss Burr was careful in mend
ing things, She once mended a porous
plaster.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
A Romance of tlie Guiteau Trial.

The Washington Star says: During
the Guiteau trial the newspaper corre-
spondents and others who made daily
visits to the courtroom became much
interested in a young lady with a
pretty face who sat during the
trial at table beside Mrs.
Scoville. It was an oasis of beauty in q
desert of bald heads and unromantic
pencil drivers, Immediately in front Of
the judges stand. This young lady was
the daughter of DR.. Rice, of Murton,
Wisconsin, Mr.. Scoville's family ply
sician, who declared Guiteau to be
insane, and became so much interested
in the proceedings that he remained
here through nearly the whole trial.
DIR. Rice and his daughter May stopped
at the fremont house, and there Miss
Rice became acquainted with Mr.. Fred
Ccwie, the son of Mr.. George Cowie.
Since the trial ended Mr. Cowie has
found mysterious business that has
taken him out to Wisconsin once OF
twice. On the last trip, however, he
settled the business and returned tc
Washington with DR.. Rice's daughter
who now bears the name Of Oowie.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
Made q Mistake.

An insurance agent called into an
establishment the other day with q
large account-book under his arm.
Walking up to the proprietor in bust,
ness sort of way, he inquired
elbows busin ness-how's stock p
"Oh, business is very dull" replied
the tradesman. "'Pon my word, sir, ]
haven't got 5000 in the house. Terri,
BILE dull p and he paused and looked
inquiringly at the visitor.
"Only 5000 r. said the insurance man,
in surprise.
"'Pon my soul, sir, I don't believe
there is dollar more-look for your
self" and the man looked very sad and
sighed.
"Then, sir" said the insurance man.
with good deal of warmth, show does
it come that your stock is insured il
our company for $4,000, eh%
"Oh | ahl beg your pardon 7" ex
claimed the dealer, in confusion
Thought you was the taxman
was sure you was the tax-gatherer, or
pom my soul, 1 would not have said
that, when, in fact, my stock is worth
full $4,000. Look for yourself, SIR"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
Oh, Angel Sleep.

oh, angel, on whose drowsy head
"A poppy wreath hangs heavy and red,
Come when the nights black shadows creep
And fold your white wings' rustling sweep
Enter my room with snowflake tread,
And hover near my weary bed,
Where, since knew my love was dead,
The whole night long toss and weep.
Oh, Angel Sleep,
Under your pinions wide outspread
Shelter me, till my soul is led
Down through that valley dark and deep,
Through whose dim shade his spirit fed,
That with him sweet tryst may keep,
Oh, Angel Sleep.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01


A fashion paper says cornWeal rubbed
in the hair will clean it. But nobody
wants to take 30 much trouble to clean
cornmeal.
Transparent leather is now being
made in Germany, and it is likely that
the pedestrian of the future will be able
to see bis neighbours corn growing
Ne,o York Commercial.
An Albany papor tells of woman in
that city who woke her husband during
q storm the other night and said: "I
do wish you would stop snoring, for /
want to hear it thunder"
It is now reported that the egg which
Columbus made stand on end was of a
very inferior quality, and that it was
not the feat that surprised the men of
science so much as the odor of the egg.
Now that the tile-painting is a little
out Of fashion, and there is no demand
for this tomfoolery in art, its adopts are
off in the country painting the virtues
of various patent medicines on barns,
fences and rocks.
eyes," said the doctor, "1'm
wretched; absolutely miserable. What's
the NATTER Why, I predicted that
Gallagher couldn't live anyway, and
here he's gone and got we'll. No,
haven't any personal feeling that [
want Gallagher to die, but there's ny
reputation ruined"
Mamma" said a wee pet, "tbey
sung Il want to be an angel in Sunday
school this morning, and I sung with
them" "Why, Nellie!" exclaimed
mamma, "could you keep time with
the rest?' "I guess L could" proudly
answered little Nellie; 81 kept ahead
of them most all the way through"
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01
HUMOR OF TIE DAY.

The biggest thing on ice-The profit.
Garden sass-Scolding over the back
fence.
How to make dull scholar smart
Flog him.
It is not safe to call o woman q
weathercock because she is little
vane.
The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-06-01

in buying a carpet for STABILITY
choose small figures.
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-25
Vegetable Seeds to Sow Soon.

How many people WHO possess plenty of
room in their gardens, or ought to have plen-
ty, deprive themselves of some OF our choicest
vegetables n large portion of the time by
merely neglecting to take advantage of the
season to prepare few small beds and SOW
the seeds? 1fyou go into their gardens and
on looking around and seeing, at the latter
end of September, no lettuce or radishes
growing, and ask where they are the reply is,
1--WE never raise them at this time of the
year, we didn't know they would do" Sc
the fact is, lettuce can now be sown with GER
tainty in drills, to head late in autumn; and
If transplanted into cold frames, we can have
heads at Christmas and generally through
the winter. The China and Spanish radish
should be sown now for winter use, and bury
in small pits as we do beets.
For early spring use, Lettuce seed should
be sown the first or second week in October,
and when the plants are well started, trans
plant in a sheltered place, forming ridges
six to eight inches high and setting them
about foot apart half way up the ridge
When cold contemporaries cover there
lightly with straw, and place few bean. poles
upon the straw to keep it in its place If
well attended TO there will be plenty of good
solid heads at the beginning of April, and some
can be cut in March before heading. Com
ing at these periods, this vegetable is very nc.
ceptable and wholesome
The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-25

One of the best spring vegetables is spin
ach 1t is very hardy and before the snow is
gone it gives us an agreeable taste of the
coming vegetables Like the turnip it re-
quires rich ground to do very we'll 1t is best
to sow it broadcast, raking it in when sown
and if possible in garden, rolling it. 1t will
soon come up and reach some considerable
size before frost. When frost comes the
spinach bed should be covered with straw, or
some other litter, keeping down with poles.
The plant is hardy enough without this pro-
lection; but as the object is carly vegetables
the earlness is assisted by this covering
There is at least two weeks of difference in
the value of crop covered and one left to
take its chances. The covering need not be
deep. 1t may be laid over so that the earth
can be seen here and there through it, If the
heaviest of the sun is shut out, that is all that
is wanted for it is The sun in winter pour
ing its rays on the frost covered plants that
seems to do the harm, so it is as much the
shade as the straw that brings the benefit
BY sowing the latter part of this month or
the beginning of September it will produce
an autumn crop; but for spring use it should
be sown the latter part of September or the
first week in October.