davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
Catching Sharks.

Those old piscatorial pirates, the
sharks, often invade the Arctic, no
doubt tempted by the carcasscs Of the
whales or seals or walruscs left to rot
10y white men engaged in their pursuit.
Natives angling from their skin canoes
in deep water occasionally catch slug
gish shark who has cngulfcd the bait,
but there is no use pulling against such
a mountain Of flesh, and relying upon
sheer strength to bring him Up; and
this the Innuit T2aak Walton fully
knows. and ovcrcomcs his strength by
sagacity.
At every brisk pull Mr. Shark, show
ing him To be irritatcd, the line is low
cred to appease him, but cautiously
hauled in again almost Immediately.
the shark slowly rising TO this strategic
manipulation, until like a finny fool'
he rests upon the surface Of the water
merely by the aid Of the weakest fish
ing line, when with a long knife the
fisherman dexterously dispatches him
by the aid Of a wcll-directed thrust
through the spinal cord.
From their wcll-knOwn yOracity in
warmer climes il seems singular indeed
that they do not attack the native fish
ermcn in their little skin canoes, but
there is not a record or known instance
Of such attacks even on the west shore
Of Greenland, where they are most
numerous. and where the natives
catch large numbers Of them from
1000 to 10000 a year, according to Dr.
Rink, Danish inspector of this coast for
a number Of years.
The most usual method Of catching
these fish can hardly hc said 10 be FISH
ing At all Near a hole in the Ice =
lighted torch is placed, and two natives
stand on opposite sides Of the hole with
two sharp hand-hooks. like drck-hands
of steamer at the end Of chute wait
ing for merchandise. until the shark
sticks his nose out. when he IS treated
in aboIt the same busincSs-liko manner
as he Is hauled on the ice. where their
carcaSscs often accumulate by hun
drcIs rs this shark fishery when once
commenced is generally carried on
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
A Russian Legend.

The Russians in the Ukraine tell a
queer story about whistling robber OF
olden times, who evidently was per
son Of gigantic proportions. for he was
in the habit Of sitting on nine oak
trees at once One Of the niCknames
given 20 him was Nightingale" on
account Of his extraordinary whistling
powers. Should an unwary traveller
come across his path. he would whistle
so melOdiously that his victim would
quickly faint away, whcrcupon he
stepped forward and killed him out
right. At last. however, a well-known
hero, by name lila Marometz. deter
mined 10 subduc the robbcr, and. having
shot him with an arrow, took him pris-
oncr carrying him of TO the court Of
Grand Prince Vladimir Even there
he proved dangerous. for when the
grand prince. merely from curiosity,
commanded him to whistle, the grand
princess and all the royal children,
being present, the man commenced
whistling in such an overpowering
manner that soon Vladimir with his
whole family would inevitably have
been dead had not one Of his brave
courtiers. perceiving the danger. got
up and shut the whistler's mouth.
-Geniiomdn'S Magazine.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
A Foot Lacking.

81 have brought in little poem," re-
marked long-haired individual, that
| would like to have published. The
sentiment is very fine; hut, tell you
the truth, I'm not so certain about the
rhythm. There may be foot want
ing here and there" "Oh, that's moth
ing" replied the poetry editor, raising
his number eleven by way Of punctua-
tion; "wilI you have it supplied now p
The long-haired man probably had an
appointment that could not be delayed;
at all events, he didn't wait for the ap-
plication.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
Chinese PoisOns.

The c0mmOnest poisons are said to be
opium. arsenic, and certain noxious es-
sences derived from herbs. But besides
these other things are taken by suicides
and given by murderers to cause death
In some of the southern provinces
there exists a particular kind Of silk
worm. known as the Golden Silkworm
which is reared by miscreants TO serve
either purpose as occasion may require.
Quicksilver. which is also used with
fatal effect. is either swallowed, or, like
the "juice OF cursed hebenon" which
sent Hamlet's father to his account, is
poured into the ear. The torture nee
rSsarily consequent on this last method
Of using IT must be so excessive that it
may safely be assumed that it finds
favor only with murderers. Swallow
ing gold. on the other hand, seems TO
be the favorite way Of seeking death
with wealthy suicides 1t has been
held by some writers that the express
sion swallowing gold" is but a meta
phorical phrase meaning swallowing
poison" just as when a notable culprit
is ordered 10 strangle himself he is said
TO have had "a silken cord" sent TO him.
But the "Coroners' Manual puts IL be-
yond question that gold is actually
swallowed. and it prescribes the RENE
dies which should he adopted 20 effect
a cure Gold not being poison. death
is the result either of suffoca,ion or
laceration of the intestines. When suf-
location is imminent draughts Of strain
ed rice-water. we are told, should he
given 10 wash the gold downward, and
when this object has been obtained. the
flesh of partridges among other things,
should be eaten by the patient 10
soften the gold" and thus prevent its
doing injury. Silver is also taken in
the same way. But though wealthy
Cinnamon thus find pleasure In seek
ing extinction by means of the precious
metals, they have never gone the
length of pounding diamonds to ret
rid OF either themselves or their
enemies after the manner Of Indlaa
potentates. -NatUTe, -
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
How the "Jerssy' was Invented

4 London letter says: One Of the
the most charming and admired ac-
tresses in London helped invent the
Jersey" Her companion in inven-
tion Is the wife Of an Irish peer. one
day the actress, Miss H., with her
maid called upon my lady (thcy are
great fricndsJ and carried with her a
pair Of tights she had just bought %
wear a. " Rosalnd in AS You Like
It." Miss II. pulled part of the elastic
silk goods across Lady BIS beautiful
arm and said: "Oh. If one could get
q corsage to Ut like that,
Let me have them one moment "
exclaimed Lady B.
She drew the tights around her
shoulders. Miss II. pinned them to
her dress. and there al that moment
was born the inspiration Of the jersey
W. all wear and never tire Of. Lady Is. IS
brougham was called. She and Miss
II. drove hastily ~ the theatrical cos
tuners. ordered another pair Of tights
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

81 think there are more idle, silly
superstitions in the popular mind on
the subject Of physiology than any sub
ject know Of, said an eminent ply
sician.
why do you say thatf Tell about
some Of them"
Take the popular notion in regard
to hydrophobia If healthy dog bite
a child and years afterward 90 mad,
the child will 60 mad, too. YouW find
that sentiment almost ineradicahlc.
Credit 70 the nineteenth century. isn't
It? so is the corollary from the prop
osition, that when a child is bitten by
a dog the beast must hc killed to keep
the child from going mad. Then
there is that time-wOrn but ever new
scare that cats suck babies brcaths.
What a cat would do with a bahy's
breath is a deep and unfathomable
mystery TO me. / suppose they get
into cradles where there are children
because of the warmth, and supersti-
tious people are not in love with cats,
and especially black ones, They twist
the vampire story around till they get
the hreath-suckinR story.
Another mediTval anatomical TO-
nance is that a man has twelve ribs
and the woman thirteen, because God
fnnl a rih frn1n man and madn unrnan a
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
Forgot Il Parcel.


OF all the Ills 10 which flesh Is heir,
forgetfulncss is the one that furnishes
the greatest number Of Iaughable epi-
sodes; and while many Of them are
annoying. the mirthiuI feature that is
their almost inYarlable companion
affords certain degree Of compensa-
tion.
Near one Of our Atlantic sea-ports
there resides an old whaling captain
commonly known as Uncle GurdOn.
To keep from getting rusty, be made
his home on the river-bank, where he
could keep a boat, and fish or paddle
about as he liked. The place was
about five miles from the city, and, AZ
occasion required, Uncle Gurdon and
his wife would journey downward for
the purpose Of shopping. Reaching
the city, the horse and wagon would
be left At the water-trOugh On the
parade, and each would 20 in different
'''''''''4n' 'ali slIE 'F'E DdHNIio "
this common receptacle. the FIRST
through waiting for the other. On
one Of these shopping excursions Uncle
Gurdon made several trips 10 the
wagon, finding each time that addi-
tions had been made To the store of
bundles-a sign that his wife was
busy. Having completed his purchases,
be unhitcEed his horse, and the ferry
boat hnri..g arrived climbed into the
wagon and drove on board. While
crossing the river one Of his acquaint-
ances stepped up and asked how he
was getting On.
"Well, I'm getting on nicely, but I'm
bothered just now"
why, is anything going wrongf"
"No, nothing special; but ! came
down to do some shopping and I've
forgotten parcel l Was TO get" and
the old gentleman scratched his head
In perpleXed manner.
"Well, | wouldn't worry. You viii
lhink Of 1t next time, said the neigh
Dor; ana the boat having reached the
landing Uncle Gurdon drove ashore
and went on toward home.
when nearly halfway there he was
met by another friend who stopped
% nave chat'
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

The Roman Nc,rs thus describes a
forty-four-ton statue for the city OF
New York ; Probably the most colos-
sal statue yet ordered for the states
has just been finished in plaster form
by an American sculptor at Florence
Larkin G.. Mead There are but two
in America that can even be compared
with Il, Greenough's Washington and
his group of Civilization which adorn
the capital at Washington. Some idea
of it may be obtained by short de-
cription. The subject is the 'Missis-
sippi River. large, rccumbent statue
not unlike in treatment the Nile group
at Rome. The figure is represented
leaning against cluster of rocks
whence springs the source of the
Father of Waters, while as a sup.
port TO the other arm Is n broken
paddle wheel caught in a snag.
not uncommon sight on that mighty
river. At the base are represented In
bas-relief the various objects character
istic of the stream during It's long
course, stern-wheeler and side-wheeler.
sugar-cane and crocodile. and its min
eral wealth in the representation Of
lead mine, while negroes are seen load
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

The largest prison in Europe IS the
house Of detention, which has recent
ly been completed at Berlin. This
enormous cditice comprises six scpar-
ate buildings, TO which has been trans
fcrrcd all the prisoners awaiting trial
VINO have hitherto been confined in
the various prisons OF Berlin. The
prison for men consists Of ground
floor and four other stories. with 732
separate cells, dormitorics for 1875 pris-
oners, besides forty rooms for turnkeys
and sleeping Accommodations for lss at
tendants. Each Of the 1872 cells has a
window ten feet high. There are six
cells in the basement for prisoners who
are refractory 10 discipline, and in the
basement are also To be found the
kitchens, the bathrooms, and the heat
ing apparatus Of the prison. The in
ternal part Of the prison is constructed
Of iron, and IS so built that all the cor
ridors look out upon a central hall,
which commands a view Of every cell.
The prison for men, which is separated
from the rest Of the building by wall
sixteen feet high, also contains a chapel
and four large exercise grounds. The
prison for women contains only 10
cells and fifteen large dormitories, the
latter Of which are divided into sections,
each containing bed, which can be
locked up every after its occupant has
retired to rest.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

The sandstone quarry at Carson, Ne
vada is proving a rich field for archae-
ologists. In addition to the giant hu-
man footprints, lSh inches in length
and of corresponding width, there have
been found the teeth of the saber
toOthed tiger, the horse. the tusk and
jaw of the mastodon and horses
jaw. But the most interesting find
lately made was a tomb near the
needles, on the line of the Atlantic
~ Pacific road, at a depth Of 173 feet
from the surface In it was found a
huge skeleton in sitting position,
with its knees drawn up to It's head
and clasped in a bony embrace with
its ileshless arms. At its feet were
several bowls, originally made Of red
dish clay, but hardened by the lapse Of
ages into a substance resembling hint.
\ tablet was inserted in the wall At
its head, bearing a long inscription in
hcroglyphics and covered with rude
limitations of some extinct species Of
creature, half animal, half reptile \
number Of implements Of warfare were
also found. Among them q stone AZ,
the handle and head being Of stone.
while the edge was formed Of iron of
great hardness, morli-cd into flint.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

There is grim humor about some
of the advertisements in the daily pa
pers. y Philadelphia journal contains
the notice that IN undertaken will give
gentleman with full black beard of
impressive proportions, permanent en-
ployment at visiting families, which
death has invaded, and taking instruc-
tions regarding the funeral. The full
black beard is strictly a business re-
quirement, the theory being that
black beard has tendency to inspire
confidence and respect.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

Children wear hats and b
all the new shapes just Ii
elders.
Plain jerseys of red or
much worn with lawn-ter
tunes.
Valenciennes lace trims
the handsomest embroidered
dresses.
Sleeves of dresses and "
worn exceedingly high, and f.
shoulder.
There Is q greater variet
styles of bathing suits than
before displayed.
The flower Of the momer
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Miss Jennie Corson went to Mon
tana about a year ago and established
a sheep ranch near Okla mt an ex-
pense of $4,000 cash. She has man
aged her business herself, and her
sheep and ranch are said to he worth
$1,000 more than they cost her. She
Is known as "the Montana shepherd
ess.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

1t Is approaching two years since
Lieutenant Greedy sailed upon his Are
tic expedition and was put ashore at a
point further north than men have
ever attempted to live, at Fort Conger
or Grinnell Land, within less than
nine degrees of the pole. Grinnell is
opposite Greenland on the west side
OF Smith Sound, which is simply the
narrowing of Banin's bay. Lieutenant
darlington of the seventh cavalry will
command the expedition TO go to Gree
ley's relief, sailing this summer and
going to Smiths sound Grccly will
start down the coast next fall, if
not before, and will find three caches
or dc"nts of provisions stored along at
intervals of fifty miles, containing
200 rations. The Arcticians consider
his chances of return good, but every
thing depends on the health of his
men, and travelling for 300 miles along
precipitous coast where there NAV
be neither ice nor land that is passa-
bic. 1t will be nearly another year
probably, before anything will be
known about them.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

II Is estimated that there are over
one thousand pearl divers on the coast
of Lower California,
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

selling rapidly at the moment
Dress skirts may be very houffant or
clinging. whichever is preferred.
Silk-worm green is soberly announ-
ced as the latest tint in that shade.
Velvet gauges and brocadcd gauges
are handsome additions to dress fabrics
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

In Great Britain and Ireland. with a
population approXimating 100000,
there are between ll,0OO and 1900
lawyers. In the United States, with a
population larger by only 100000,
there are $1,000 lawyers; and in New
York state, with a tenth of the coun-
try's population, abide a sixth of its
entire body Of lawyers. There is a
lawyer to every 1000 people in Great
Britain, while in America there is a
lawyer to every 500 people. If this
does not show an advanced stage of
civilization, it certainly shows a decid-
edly litigious spirit.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

We read in London paper: 1--WE
are, so TO say, in state of siege, Ger
tainly under the very strictest military
and police military and police surveil-
lance, AS night comes on we see all
the public buildings delivered over to
soldiers, gates are closed, sentinels with
rifles loaded with ball cartridges pace
rapidly TO and fro, and some large
apartment is for the nonce turned into
a guard-room. This has n truly mar
tial aspect, absolutely quite pictur-
esque, and worthy of being commem-
GRATED by some enterprislng II. A.;
soldiers are gathered round the blazing
fire, arms are glistening in the light
the toy drummer-boy is waiting to beat
to arms, and all are on the alert, ready
to rush into the streets and do some
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

Since the large capitalists came into
the business Of cattle-raising in Texas.
great bodies of land have been bought
up for ranges, and soon desirable free
pastures will be thing of the past.
Having the money to fence as well as
buy the land, most of the large ranges
are being inclosed with wire. More
thanSlOO,OO0,O00 would be required to
purchase the cattle now roaming over
the state. Half of this value, accord
ing to the best testimony, is the in
crease of cattle within two years.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

According to Montreal paper the
engineer of the Saskatchewan mining
company, while examining the COM
pany's coal areas recently discovered
the remains Of an ancient forest at
depth Of over 200 feet from the top of
rayine. The stumps are plainly visible.
and are about two feet in hight, and
look very much as though the forest
had been laid low by the woodman
In addition, the fossil remains OF
gigantic reptile were found under the
coal in a stratum Of light sandstone.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12
FaahIon Notss.

Lace upon day dresses is yer
tar this season.
Braiding appears on costume
ats and wraps,
White lawn hustle skirts are
red 20 stiff crinolcts.
Tucks and panels are the I
IN dress-making this year.
Gold braid is much used. e.
trimming morning dresses.
Copper in various shades is &
VI tobacco or cigar color.
pcrcalos. hatistcs. and 7cph'
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

There is a fire department in Jcru-
salem which is very different from
what is understood by that term in
this country. On the comparatively
rare occurrence Of a fire, the news is
leisurely conveyed to small detach-
ment of soldiers, who with great dig
nifty march TO the scene Of the fire,
carrying their guns on their shoulders
In front of them march four men with
broad-axes. As there is no water sup
ply in the city, a fire engine would be
useless, and certainly would be opposed
to the traditions Of the people. In
stead of wasting their time in such
unhallowed efforts, these soldier-fire-
men strike picturesque attitudes
around the fire, murmuring, allah is
good !" And when it has spent itself
they go back to their quarters con
scious of having done their duty.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

The leyiathan steamship Great East
tern is yeritable white elephant on
the hands Of her stockholders. At n
general meeting of the directors and
proprietors in London. it was stated
that the efforts to sell or charter the
ship had been unceasing, and the di-
rectors regretted that. although they
were frequently receiving applications
In respect to the steamer, nothing had
resulted. The income for the year
was made up as follows: Transfer
fees, G1; interest. el40; visitors fees
to ship, el3. The expenditures for
the year in connection with the ship
had been e4,402 Is Id. 1t does not re-
quire much arithmetic to figure out
where this sort Of business is to end.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

II from thirty TO nifty guin'
them. Mrs. Langtry was amo
inst customers, but she did NJ
The Jersey until long after l.
and Miss III.
Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-12

bloody business there. This, be It re-
membered, in the heart of London in
1881"
National Republican., 1883-10-30
BUILDING INSPECTORS REPORT.


Great Increase in the Number OF Permits
and Cost OF mprovements-Focomm
dations for Next Year.
The annual report of Building Inspector
Entwisle, which was submitted on Saturday,
shows that tho total number of permits issued
during the year was 730 for now brick dwell
ings, value S2,374,505; Q apartment houses,
value $145,000; a private school, $l5, 100; 27
stores, $0i,100; office buildings, $3l231; D
churches, $136,000; 67 private stables, $76,5l0;
] livery stable, $4,000; 13 workshops, mills,
$12, 15l; 519 brick repairs and additions,
1866. .S32; 80 now frame dwellings. SOL, ,922; 13
private franc stables, $1SS0; SOL repairs to
frame houses, $5910i 81 remodels, $4,000; /;
liz Sheds $5,625; II awnings, and 32 vaults.
| Total number Of permits, S2215; total esti-
mated value of same, 1881, 1868.
The increase over last year was 231 bricks
and 16 frames the permits being 4S2 in excess
of last year, and the excess in cost of the i'm
provements were $s63,00O. The erection of
two new station houses is urged also the ap-
preparation of $4,000 to repair the police
court building, $1,000 to repair stations, 81, 500
to repair engine houses, and $500 for repair
ing the market. The almshouse needs paint
! ing. An appropriation for steam heating ap-
paratus in the Gales and Webster school
buildings is asked for. IL is recommended
that $4,000 be appropriated for repairs TO
school buildings. He urges the necessity of
having an eight room school in Georgetown,
one on Third street, and that the old struc-
ture at the corner of Twenty-second and l
streets be replaced.
The estimates for the next fiscal year
amount to $53,4S0, including $1,000 for the
Washington asylum, and $6,9s0 for Office ex-
penses. 1t is urged than an appropriation for
taking down condemned structures be made.
Also that a law be passed prohibiting the
erection Of frame houses within fire limits.
National Republican., 1883-10-30
Ma val Orders.

l. ieut Robert II, Mclean to the Alliance
first of November; Chief Engineer David
Smith to duty at the Washington navy yard;
Passed Assistant Engineer Francis M. Ash
ton, in charge of the machinery of the iron
clads at the navy yard, League Island; Lieut..
On aries NJ. McCarteney, detached from duty
in the photographic office aud ordered to the
receiving vessel Wyandotte at Washington
on the twenty-ninth instant; Lieut.. w. l..
III cid from duty on the Asiatic station, when
Rear Admiral Crosby hauls down his flag,
and granted leave of absence for six months
with permission to remain abroad; Passed
Assistant Surgeon Ernest Norfeet from the
naval hospital, Mare Island, and ordered to
temporary duty on board the Alert, and on
her arrival at Yokohama to report for duty
at the naval hospital there; Chief Engineer
John Lowe from the Washington navy ward
and ordered to the Yantc; the orders of
Lieut.. f. j. Milligan TO the Shenandoah have
been revoked, and he has been ordered to
hold himself in readiness for orders to the
Ossipee.
National Republican., 1883-10-30
Marriage Licenses.

Marriage licenses were issued yesterday to
Henry Thomas and Susie Hannah, George
w. Pralle and Annie s. Tigeler, Clinton
Greene and Maggie Porter, Henry Cabell and
Kate Scanlan, Levi Maish, of York, Pa, and
Louise l.. Miller, of this city.