davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Hours and Minutes.

Why is one hour divided into sixty min
utes, and each minute again into sixty sec
ands? Why not divide our time as we do
money, by tens, counting ten, or fifty, or one
hundred minutes TO an hour? This question
was asked by an intelligent boy few days
since, and the answer given him may both
interest and instruct other young people.
The answer was this: We have sixty divi-
sions on the dials of our clocks and watches
because the old Greek astronomer, Hippar-
chus who lived in the second century before
Christ, accepted the Babylonian system OF
reckoning time, that system being sexigesi-
NAL. The Babylonians were acquainted with
the decimal system; but for common and
practical purposes, they counted by sossi and
s"ri, the sossos representing sixty, and the
saros sixty times sixty, or thirty-six hun
dred. From Hipparchus, that mode of reck
oning found its way into the works of Pto-
lemy, about $50 years A. D., and thence was
carried down the stream of science and civil
ization, and found the way to the dial plates
of our clocks and watches.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Is Mars Inhabited!

There is no other planet in the solar sys-
tenn, says a scientific. paper, which offers so
close an analogy to the earth as Mars. The
telescope reveals to us the figures of broad
tracts of land and expanses of sea upon his
surface. The duratiOns of his day and night
almost coincide with our own. His exterior
experiences the alternating changes of the
seasons His nights are illuminated by two
satellites, which present all the phenomena
OF our own moon, and more frequently, ow-
ing to their greater velocity. An atmosphere
probably surrounds this planet in fact the
existence of air is indispensable to his own
features Hence the inference that Mars is a
habitable globe appears a very obvious and
fair conclusion, and it would be inconsistent
to imagine that this planet, provided appar-
emily with all the requisite natural facilities
to render life a necessary and desirable fea-
lures of his surface, is sphere of desolation,
a mass of inert matter, which, though con-
forming to the laws of gravitation, is other
wise serving no useful end, as the abode and
sustenance of animate creatures. 1t is far in
accordance with analogy and rational specu-
lation to conclude that Mars is the center of
life and activity, and that his surface is tenn
ing with living beings.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Rachel and the Small BOy.
Philadelphia Telegraph.


| met recently, at all afternoon reception,
French gentleman, who related to me the
the particulars of how, when quite small
boy, he went to see the great Rachel act He
was great friend of her brothers, and used
sometimes to go to her house, when one day
she said, patting him on his cheek, "Well,
my little fellow, would you not like to come
and see me act some day ?" OF course the
answer to this query was an eager affirmative
and that very evening he and his cOmrade
found themselves installed in one of those
boxes called by the French loges internaies,
namely, the boxes situated inside of the pro-
scenium and the curtain, and literally upon
the stage. The play was ''Phedre" and the
child sat entranced and half bewildered
while the wonderful panorama of passion
was unfolded before him. When the curtain
fell on the last act the PROSTATE Phedre did
not rise, but four men, coming from behind
the scenes, enveloped her in large, soft
blanket and bore her quickly from the stage
The boy, in an ecasty of terror and excite
ment, half inclined to believe the whole
tragedy a reality, slipped hastily from his
place and followed the men until they laid
their burden on large sofa in Rachels
dressng-room. When the great actress
opened her eyes she found her child-admirer
before her, weeping and wringing his hands.
80, Mademoiselle Rachel :" he sobbed, "do
grant me one favor" "And what is that my
little man p Never act again it is too, too
dreadful" Probably in all her brilliant ca
reer Rachel had never received more genu-
inc or appreciative token of admiration.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Incident at an Orphan Asylum.

The fact that all mothers who desert theil
children are not entirely heartless, says the
Pittsburg Chronicle, was demonstrated in a
touching manner. Il few days since, at one
of the institutions for the care of the poor.
More than two years since babe was found
Oh a door step and was handed over to the
officers of the institution. Some weeks after
ward a young woman visited the house and
seemed to be particularly interested in the
welfare of the infant. She repeated her
visits frequently, and as the little one grew
it seemed delighted to see her, and was al
ways ready to be fondled and petted by her.
When it was able to prattle, the female visi-
tor was particularly delighted, and during
her visits gave the child her undivided at
tention. \ day or two since the visitor
again put in an appearance, and the child
while sitting in her lap said, Il do like you
to come; you nurse ME so NICE She was
unable to control herself any longer, and al
though the matrOn was present she hugged
the little one closely to her breast, and gave
way to tears The visitor told the matron
that she was the mother of the child, and
that when she left it where it was found it
was a question of life and death for them
both. She was utterly penniless, and had
parted with the babe, hoping that it would
be tenderly cared for and that some day she
would be able to reclaim it. She said she
had found it difficult to remain away from
it, and that her frequent visits, although os-
tensibly for another purpose, were made be-
cause she could have an opportunity of nurs-
ing it, She said she was i'm no condition
now to take charge of it, and the superin-
tendent, after making proper inquiries and
giving her some money, allowed her to take
it away
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
SuperstitiOus Brides.

Some ofthe superstitiOns about Irish brides
are amusing. 1t is an i'll omen to rise before
the sun the marriage morning; to dream Of
the crOaking of n raven, or to see the shadow
of his wing fit by in the sunshine or to
hear the knock of an invisible hand which,
however, should be listened for, or to note
winding sheet in the candle. 1t is still more
ominous to meet red-haired person ON the
1st ofMay ifthe wedding is to be the following
month, or to tread upon the poisonous beetle
whose death bodies fire or pestilence, or to
speak with her lover before meeting him in
church; and there are many other equally
mysterious saws that are not very alarming
because there are as as many favorable
omens on the other hand to counteract them.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
SeIfShneSS.

Sellishness withers the heart prematurely
and makes a young man old while a kind
and benefcent life keeps the heart young,
and makes old age flourish like a palm tree.
Generous age is deserted neither by God nor
man. Its own kindred and coevals may
grow few; but strangers perform the part of
kindred. And youth delights to blend it's
morning beams with the rich sunset of a
benevolent life
Gratitude and affection smooth tottering
steps, and Tighten the infrmites of the mer-
ciful man. God and all the good angels are
with him. The fruits of his charity in part
remains to refresh and nourish him till his
change comes, while those not to be found
ON earth are garnered for him in heaven
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09

\ Millionaire Mistaken for an Ungrate-
fu! Tramp.
Chicago Inter Ocean. |

chicago Inter Ocean
Cornelius III. Vanderbilt was the victim OF
a ludicrous case of mistaken identity yester-
day at the fremont House. Two weeks ago
a young man entered Cameron, Amberg &
Co.'S store, Oh Lake street, and asked for the
proprietor. He was introduced to Mr.. Cam
eron, to whom he told a pitful story of
poverty. Cameron told him he wanted no
more help, whereupon the young man sug-
gested that if he would give him credit for a
quantity Of indelible pencils he would pay
for them as he sold them. He was given the
pencils, but Mr.. Cameron never saw him
again. Yesterday afternoon, while in the
fremont House, Mr. Cameron met the young
man i'll the rotunda. He was finely dressed,
and sauntered about the hotel nonchaently
and as though he owned the earth.n This
CALLED Mr. Cameron, and, tapping the young
man on the shoulder, he said, Don't you
think 1t Is about time you paid for those
pencils =
What's that, sir
Those pencils
Il owe you for no pencils | don't know
who you are"
Then followed some positive remarks on
poverty stricken young men and contempt
ible swindling, and both made some spirited
1t eliminated in the young man
calling up General -" and having him.
self identified. When Mr. Cameron found
that he was accusing a millionaire Wander
bilt of petty swindle his apologies were of
course in good order.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09

A correspondent writes to the Queen: Il
do not know whether it made much way in
the provinces, of which acquaintance and ex-
perience are small, but in and about London,
for twenty miles round, there is hardly a
large family, blessed with an average endow-
ment of girls in which one of them is not
learned or destined to learn the violin. /
often attend the practices or concerts given
by many amateur musical societies in and
about London. and generally find young
ladies among the ranks of the violin players.
On all sides there is abundant evidence that
the movement is general and strong The
violin dealers and masters tell the same
story, and cannot doubt that ten years
hence the violin will be far more common in
the hands ofyoung ladies than it ever was
in former days among their fathers and
uncles."
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
CIairvOyant Turkies.

On the night of the 18th ult, an old barn
in Riceyille, Tehema county, California, was
burned. Therefore a large flock of turkies,
belonging to one A. keidrick, had uniformly
roasted in this barn most of them had never
known any other perch. They had always
roasted in the old barn. But On the evening
before the fire the turkies, for the first time,
deserted the barn and at roosting time vol
UNFAIRLY chose a perch near the house. That
night the barn was burned. There was moth
ing to explain the change of base on the part
of the turkies, unless it is admitted that the
ghosts from the recent Thanksgiving sacri-
fees came back to warn their late fellows of
the approaching danger. Their escape by
this unaccountabie freak is called special
providence when relating to human affairs.
At all events, the turkies changed from their
accustomed perch without any apparent
cause.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Where False Hair Comes From.

Several tons of fair hair are annually ex-
ported from France to England and Ger
many. The most luxuriant heads of hair in
France are to be found among the peasant
women of Normandy. Brittany yields plen-
titul crops, but of coarse quality and lacking
in luster. Limoges and its neighborhood are
productive of exceptionally long and glossy
black hair. Throughout the north of France
dull hues characterize the grOwths, a fact
which the dealers attribute to the influence
of the sea air upon the human hair, which,
in inland mountainous districts, is generally
found to be dark and bright in color, and to
grow with great rapidity to abnormal length
and weight. The French hair dealers best
customer is America, whittier is annually ex-
ported as much of the commodity in ques-
ton as is sent to Great Britain and Germany
together
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Russian Floors.

The finest floors are said to be seen Russia
For those of the highest grades tropical
woods are exclusively employed. Fir and
pine are never used, as, in consequence of
their sticky character, they attract and re-
tain dust and dirt and thereby soon become
blackened Pitch pine, too, is liable to
shrink, even after being well seasoned. The
mosaic wood floors in Russia are often of
extraordinary beauty. One in the Summer
Palace is of small squares of ebony inlaid
with mother-of-peal. A considerable trade
is done in Dantizc and Riga by exporting
small blocks of oak for parquet floors.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Reinsurance Companies.

There is company i'll France called the
Metropole, whose business it is to reinsure
other insurance companies. If manutact-
urer wishes an insurance toa very large
amount, ,ihe can place it in dozen companies,
to the extent sometimes of 100000 in each
Then these companies reinsure in the Metro
pole and other similar companies which do
not take direct risks The advantage of the
plan lies in the fact that insurance can thus
be obtained to almost any amount without
the necessity of taking out an enormous
number of small policies.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Carrag gcen.

The fact is not generally known that with
i'll three hours ride Of Boston a large and
profitable business has been carried Oh since
1S4S along the seashore, which is nothing
more or less than farming under the sea"
Everywhere upon the coast of eastern New
England may be found ten feet below the
water mark the lichen known as carrageen
the Irish Moss Of commerce. 1t may be
torn from the sunken rocks anywhere, and
yet the little seaport of Scituate is almost
the only place in the country where it is
gathered and cured This village is the great
center of the moss business of the country,
and the entire Union draws its supplies from
these beaches. Long rakes are used in till
ing this marine farm, and it does not take
long to fill the many dories that await the
lichen, torn from its salty rock bed The
husbands and fathers gather the moss from
the sea, and the wives and daughters pre-
pare it for the market. Soak it in water and
it will melt away to jelly. Boil it in milk
and a delicious white and creamy blanc
mango is the result. The annual product is
from ten to fifteen thousand barrels, and it
brings $4,000 into the town, which sum is
shared by one hundred and fifty families.
It's consumption in the manufacture of lager
beer is very large, and the entire beer inter-
est Of the country draws its supplies from
Scituate beaches, as the importation from
Ireland has almost ceased. 1t is not gener-
ally known that the moss, as an article of
food is called 'sea moss tarina.".
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Excessive Bathing.
London Globe.

4 question has lust come before the Man
chester City Council which has interest for
every town where public baths exist. 1t is
found during hot weather that many OF the
bathers remain in the water for an unscon-
ciOnably long time-several hours at stretch
sometimes. This is said to be especially the
habit Of feminine bathcrs, to the great dam
ger of their health In one instance a girl
actually lost the use of her limbs, and in
many others illness of one sort or another
has been traced TO this over-indulgence. At
the Manchester baths printed notices are
posted up prescribing half All hour as the
minimum time These are set at naught,
and what may be termed ''pickling" goes on
lust as if there were no regulations TO the
contrary. We have little doubt the officials
connected with the public baths of the Me-
tropolis could tell singular tale, if so mind
ed. Perhaps, therefore, some good would
come from distributing among bathers print
ed warnings rs to the i'll consequences that
result from bathing. Loss of strength, drow-
siness hepatic arrangement, and, we believe,
heart complaint, are among the results ofthe
practice when resorted to. 1t is, we think,
more through ignorance of any harm result
ing than out of downright perversity that
this foolish excess in bathing has become to be
o general. OF course, there are some consti-
tutions that can stand anythang; and here
and there Webb or Beckwith is to be found,
TO whom long immersion in water is, appar-
entity. innocuous. But even these amphibi-
Gus beings like to have the water warm-a
condition which does not obtain at public
baths during a summer time.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Ny Girl, My Rival and Myself.
Ny GIRL.

Ny GIRL.
She's a HcC-as-I-pic Young girl,
She's max c-l-boy sigh young girl,
Shes quite unpernssble, blushingy kissabe,
Won't-tel- her-mother young girl
She's IA slightly red-headed young girl
She's Il want-to-be welded young girl,
She's as-you-pleasicle, slyly- y-hand-squeezice
Du-it-you-darc young girl
MY RIVAL
Hes an awkward and foolish young boy,
He's stubborn and mush young boy,
4 very unmannerly, what ts-the-matter- Han
ner-ly,
Chewing tobacco young boy.
He's creeping and sneaking young boy,
He's an inelcgant speaking young boy,
He's bull-headed stoical, all-the etime-bowical,
Stck-n-the-mud young boy.
MYSELF.
I'm very good-looking young man,
I'm rather fine spoken young man;
I'm Il highly enjoyable not a bit bOyabe,
Nery-much- sought young man.
I'm n set-the grlscrazy young man.
Am at ease, NOT lazy young man;
I'm ii very remarkable, sleek, sly and sparable.
cppermmt-perfumed young man.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09

There is legend, old and gray,
Born of Tuscan soil
II tells how, on an Olden day.
\ pilgrim aged Glanced to stray
Where noble castles stopped the way
With all their portals down.
vt last he reached one declcd with flowers
From base to turrct crown,
and sought its shade, through midday hours
With wine and bread in fragrant bowers
Born from the hand of toll.
Refreshed he spal>e the lusty lad
Who'd wrought it all by skill
And heard his tale as brief as sad
He loved-aas. it was too bad
4 maiden who no money had,
And he was just the same,
This noble castle, flowers and grounds
Are all of worldwide fame;
The grand dukes wealth. il knows no bounds
These flowers are sought by kingly crowns:
Bnt | am wifcess STILL
My boy the pilgrim sadly said,
i have no golden wealth,
But here, i'll lieu of wine and bread
give you thi5-tis but shred
cut in Persia from bed
Ofgorgeous fragrant flowers
The gardner placed the little gift
In shade till sunset hours;
Planted and watered it, and swift
1t grew TO fill the garden drift
With glorious perfumed health.
The grand duke soon the story knew.
And saw its lovely bloom,
Then, with its growth, his passion grew
And self unto his bosom flew,
lie charged the boy to give no clue
To whence the flower was brought.
Nor yet to give single spray,
However deftly sought
TO king, TO child or dame, away.
Or he should know, that very day
The headman'S ready doom.
But this the gardener said within
" lis Lina's natal day;
need no gold her love to VIM
But even now shall begin
To cull-GOd grant it is no sin
Some flowers to deck her hair.
she's neither king. nor child, nor dame,
But only maiden fair.
And SO, he thought, there is no blame
Should this flower without name,
Send forth upon the way.
The maiden kissed the rare bouquet.
And then with dancing eyes,
She saw the little perfumed spray,
And careful put the flower away
And nursed it fondly, night and day,
Till it was seen by one
Who craYed the shrub, and offered gold
That which the maid had none
Enough to tempt. The flower was sold
And gone; and now the maiden bold
III happy accents cries:
My owu-my love, Oh, look and see!
m he your wife this day,
Look what the fairies sent to me.
BY pilgrim hands, from over the sca--
This gold to be my wedding fee
For love, for me and you!'
And so, since then, each Tuscan maid,
To prove the legend true,
Wears twined about each glossy braid
The day that she wife is made,
little jasmine spray.
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
Sunlit Rooms.

No article of furniture should be put in a
room that will not stand sunlight, for every
room in a dwelling should have the windows
food of sunlight will force it's way into the
apartments. The Importance OF admitting
the light OF the sun freely to all parts of our
dwellings can never be too highly estimated
Indeed, perfect health is nearly as much de-
pendent on pure sunlight as Oh pure air.
Sunlight should never be excluded except
when so bright as to be uncomfortable for
the eyes. And walks should be in the bright
sunlight, so that the eyes are protected by
veil or parasol when inconveniently intense.
A sun bath is of more importance in preser-
wing healthtul condition of the body than
is generally understood. A sun bath costs
nothing, and that is a misfortune, for people
are deluded with the idea that those things
only can be good or useful which cost money
But remember that pure water, fresh air and
sunlit rooms, kept free from dampness, will
secure you from many heavy bills OF the
doctors. and give you health and vigor which
no money can produce. 1t is well estab-
lished fact that people who live much in the
sun are usually stronger and more healthy
than those whose occupations deprive them
of sunlight. And certainly there is nothing
strange in the result, since the same law ap-
plies with equal force to every animate thing
in nature. 1t is quite easy to arrange an
isolated dwelling SO that every room may be
flooded with sunlight some time in the day
and it is possible that many town houses
could be so built as to admit more light than
theV now receive
Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1882-02-09
THE OLD WORLD AND THE NEW.
Effect Upon Europe of the Discovery of
America.
John Fisk in Harper's Magazine.

John Fisk in Harper's Magazine
The voyage of Columbus in 1892 was in
many respects the greatest event which had
occurred in the world since the birth OF
Chrlst Politically and socially it was the
beginning OF an entirely new chapter in hui
man history, and it wrought effects upon
mems speculative thinking which, though
perhaps less conspicuous, were not less real
or remarkable. In much more than the mere
geographical sense was it the discovery Of a
New World. 1t was the first in a cOmplica-
ted series of events which four centuries
have not yet fully rounded into period the
foundation of a new Europe in America, in
Africa, i'll Australia and in the Islands OF the
Pacific; the rise of the English race to politi-
cal and commercial supremacy, and the adj
vance 0fthe english language toward what may
become universal dominion; the reOrganiza-
ton OF government upon a higher plane than
the middle ages had ever been able to fore
shadow the renovation of society in the old
Europe through countless subtle influences :;
the permanent triumph of the industrial
over the predatory spirit; the successful
assertion of individual freedom against the
paralyzing absOlutism inherited from the
Roman Empire the overthrow of sacerdota-
lism and the Christianizing Of the world. 1t
hcuiu plopdDly NC JOO llluCu 10 assert Jnat
some OF thes. desirable results might not
have been attained, so far as old Europe is
concerned, even if the lands beyond the sea
had never been explored and colonized 1t
is unquestionable, however, that the progress
would have been slower and much more sub
ject to Interruption. The part performed by
England, for example, in the work of Euro
pean civilization since the age of Elizabeth
has been so immense and so complicated
that no elabOrateness of analytic description
can do it justice. Yet England in Elizabeth's
time was hardly tirst-class power. and but for
the colonization of America in the seven
teenth century it is difficult to see in what
way she would SO surely or soon have gained
the commercial supremacy which gave her
in the eighteenth century the dominion of
the ocean, and thus secured her the foremost
position in the world. To those-and there
are many such in America-who are in the4
habit of regarding American history as dry
and uninteresting study, it may be profit
able matter of reflection that since the be- |
ginning of the seventeenth century it is i'm
possible to follow intelligentIy the affairs of
Did Europe through single generation with
Dut constant reference to the New World.