davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
Thumbs and Thumb Lore.

Since the interest in palmistry has
been revived we have become more or
less inclined to regard our hands with
more than common respect as the ora
cles by which our virtues as well as our
shortcomings are registered, and on
which to a great measure our veal or
woe is dependent. And as in palmiStry
the thumb plays a chief part, so we find
that in ancient as well as in modern
time thai member of the hand has been
of great historical and social impor-
tance. An article on Thumb Lore" in
the Antiqudry initiates us in all the
legends which have been formed of the
thumb. We are told that ''in the re-
motest days of antiquity" among Goths,
Iberians and Moors the licking of the
thumb was regarded as a solemn pledge
or promise. Another custom of even
greater grace and elegance was COM
mon in Scotland, where among the
lower classes bargains were concluded
by clicking and joining of thumbs. "
But the same ceremony was not always
and everywhere a sign of agreement or
form of business; licking or biting the
thumb was often challenge, as in
"Romeo and Juliet, or, as in Decker's
dead Term" an act to ''beget quar-
rels." Sir Walter Scott also alludes to
it in this sense. and many stories are
told where the biting of the thumb, or
even of the glove, caused death and de-
struction. Kissing the thumb was re-
garded as a sign of servility, the cere-
mony being performed at interviews of
tradesmen with superior customers.
The important part which the Emper.
or's thumbs played in the days of
gladiators is well known; not so. per-
Raps, the Chinese custom which still
prevails, to preserve an impression of
the thumbs of criminals, by which, as
the thumb is said never to change in its
formation and other characteristics.
malefactors are identified on future
committals. The very Latin name
pollen is by antiquaries pointed out as
being the root from which the word
poUiceri, ''to promise or engage" is
derived. .-PaLl- Mall Gazette,
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
Railroad Prohibition.

The Erie Railroad and the Chicago &
Alton Road have enacted a Prohibitory
law on their respective lines They are
teetotalers, too. They remove all en-
ployes who use intoxicants in modera-
ton, as we'll as those who drink to ex-
cess, well knowing that he who drinks
at all is always in danger of drinking
too much. In other words, they rec
ognize the fact that any man who is adj
dicted to the use of alcoholic spirits, all
of which are brain poisons, is an unsafe
man to be intrusted with human lives
or valuable property.
A. NJ. Richards, Division .Superin-
tendent of the Chicago & Alton Road,
in an interview, says: "A comparative
ly modern thing required in railroading
is total abstinence. In former times lit
tie indulgence in the social bowl was
wlnked at. But whisky has been found a
foe of railroading, 1t has caused the loss
of great many lives and much money.
Railroad managers have learned that a
man who drinks is dangerous. Hence
if he INDUCES even off duty he is dis
charged. If he is on duty at night and
then stays up during the daytime he is
likewise bounced for not going to bed.
He may be warned once of his faults,
but repetition costs him his job. Rail-
roads must have not only clear brains,
but well-rested bodies. They want
every man at his best. Formerly tho
ail-fellow-well-met' man was likely
to rise in authority in railroading. This
is no longer true. Conviviality is
frowned upon everywhere in the serv-
ice. Urbanity is expected of all. but
debauchery permitted in none. ~
Weekly Magazine.
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
A Total Abstainer's Wonderful Physic-
nj Feat.

Mr. Kceble, the noted Temperance
advocate, has become quite lion among
the Temperance and church people.
He completed yesterday in the city one
of the greatest feats of physical endur-
ance on record. Its accomplishment
was undertaken for the purpose of
proving to the world that the, physical
system of sound man who never uses
alcohol is capable of sustaining greater
and more protracted fatigue than is the
physical system of an equally sound
man accustomed to its use even in
moderation. Mr.. keeble had in most
of his Temperance lectures insisted
upon this point, and generally chal-
lenged his opponents to undertake
test with him. Being a man of fine
physique his challenges were not ac-
cepted. He then determined to exem-
plify in his own powers of endurance
the virtues of Temperance by feat of
endurance in walking, choosing that
because he had no experience either as
professional or amateur pedestrian,
and regarding walking as the complet-
est form of physical exertiOn. He
undertook to walk 1000 miles
within 445 hours, and to average
during the entire period two and
one-quarter miles per hour. No person
but himself believed he would ever sue
ceed, but he said he would, because he
meant to in the interest of religion and
humanity. Yesterday he finished his
1,0OOth mile within the allotted time, and
ended apparently fresh and certainly in
excellent spirits and health. A dispute
arose at the completion of the next to
the last mile. growing out of the decimal
difficulty in adjusting the time in
the last mile to the total distance to
be covered, and Mr.. Keeble continued
walking until the dispute was settled.
1t was referred to the sporting judges,
who happened to be at the time in an
other part of the city, and before the
decision, which was in favor of the pc
destrian, was delivered on the premises,
Mr. Keeble had walked 456 hours, and
covered total of 1,025 miles, finishing
in good condition. An admirer of Mr..
Keeble has offered to back him against
any other pedestrian in the world in an
attempt to walk $500 miles in 1000
hours, and make two and one-quarter
miles in each and every hour.-London
Telegram to Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
An Errand Boys Tale.

"SaY, mister, won't you hist that ere
bundle up on my back? It's slippin'.
A bright-faced, intelligent boy of
twelve years or thereabouts struggling
under the weight of three large pack
ages of dry-goods was standing, with
tears in his eyes, last night about six
O'Clock, in front of the Press office. He
was poorly dressed, but his clothing was
neat and clean. There was patch on
one of his knees and his cuffs showed
evidence of recent darning. of rather
a slender build, white-faced and small
of stature, the little fellow seemed hard
" capable of handling the three heavy
bundles that he was trying so bravely
to manage. Two of the packages he
carried in double strap slung over
both shoulders. A third package was
between his neck and the straps. When
he took dozen steps forward the unse-
cured burden would slip forward, and
then the lad would appeal to the first
paSser-by to assist him.
Tell YOU what, mister" said he, aft
er the desired aid had been given, "Tm
Almost tired enough to lie right down
there on the pavement and 60 to sleep,
and I've got to go to Twelfth and
Spruce, Fifteenth and Pine and then
clear up to Girard avenue, and I've got
to walk it, too. Yes," he continued, in
reply to question, 'Tm an errand
boy, and l work for one of the big firms
in town. Have to do this every day.
'Tain't nothing out of the regular way.
We've got fourteen other boys. Most
of 'em are littler. l kin lick both OF
'em.
Never mind that" said the listener,
who was becoming somewhat interest
ed in the boys naive manner and ap-
parent truthfulness. "Tell me what
you have to do every day and how long
You have to work. I'll walk up the
street with you"
WELL" was the reply, with . sus-
picious, side-long glance, ''if you're not
a kiddin' me l don't mind talkin', but
you see there's such lot of old men.
with gray boards, who ask me if 60
to Sunday-school and never show up a
nickel that I'm. kinder backward, A
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

Miss Edith Jeffrey is very wealthy;
yet she writes poems for Hdrpcr's Mag
dzine, supports and educates two young
girls, and finds time for numerous char
ities.
George ID. Robinson will be the
third Governor of Massachusetts directly
descended from Dolor Davis, who came
over in 1855. The other two were
John Davis and John ID. Long.-BoStOn
Post.
All Yank King, n young Chinese
graduate at the Yale Sheffield Scientific
school, has returned to this country
despite the command of his Govern
ment, and wi abide with us. Detroit
Post.
Miss Bessie Jones is the editor of
newspaper at Athens, o., and IS de-
scribed as ''the wittiest and brightest
girl that can be found between the ris-
ing and the setting of the sun. ~. \.
Graphic.
Agnes May Fleming died several
years ago, but novels bearing her name
are still published in pursuance of an
arrangement with her family, who have
sold the use of her name to story
writer. Chicago HeraH.
William NJ. Evarts is getting thin
npr and more nervous than ever, and
now weighs scarcely hundred. New
crthclcss, the eX-Secretary is still hard
worker, and reaps over one hundred
thousand dollars a year from his law
practice. " y. Times.
President Arthur's Cabinet is thus
4 in
Times: Brewster is the most punctil-
ious member, Frelinghuysen the most
aristocratic. Lincoln the quietist,
Gresham the ablest, FOlger the most
judicial. Teller and Chandler are the
two who keep track of things general
" and the hardest workers.
Judge Thomas Drummond has been
on the Federal bench continuously for
thirtv-threc years - first as United
States District Judge for Illinois, then
as United States Circuit Judge for
Northern Illinois, and since 1869. as
United States Judge for the Seventh
Circuit. embracing Illinois Wisconsin
and Indiana. Members of the bar
speak and think of him as still in his
prime. - Indianapolis Journal
"A recent issue OF the american neg
istcr contains the following terse criti-
cism of the novelSts of to-day: The
modern novel is drifting as far away
from plot as modern music is from mel
| odv. A sentiment is now elaborated
and called a story, and characters are
little else than catalogues of peculiar-
ties. selected from varied sources, and
fastened upon one impossible individu-
ality. A bit of real flesh and blood,
that speaks the language OF everyday
life, is becoming rarer and rarer in iic-
ton, which appears to be running to
seed in pursuit of mere style"
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
HUMOROUS.

An exchange says: "Science spro
nouncing against covering the walls of
houses with paper Ornamental tiles
are suggested as substitutes" All
right. If science will put up the cash,
we will have our house tiled Immediate
Iy.-N Y. Mail.
"A sky light The sun--The wom-
ans cause: Because--A tough time:
Roughs on spree--A dose of salts:
Several sailors slceping--The bird of
freedom: An escaped jail l-bird-- Gen
orally on the mending hand: The thim-
ble-BOStOn Courier.
Afraid in the DARK
A beautiful maid in Bismarck,
When the lamp was turned down for spark,
Struggled up to her Fred,
And trembIingly said.
always feel skeered in the dark!
-BiSnaarck Tribune.
A gentleman who sent a poem to
an editor said in note: Il hope you
will do me the kindness of excusing
the errors in my manuscript The
editor replied; Il have excused all
the errors. In fact, have excused the
entire poem. "-Arkdnsaw Trdreller
Waiter: "Be careful, sab, you
are spelling your lunch.' Guest; "In
what way?' Waiter: "Why. sab,
you just took your napkin and rubbed
the quail on toast off your plate. !"
Guest: so | did. How stupid of
me! thought it was a fiy-speck. y
Chicago Herald.
"A novel writer tells how "the
words crashed through her teeth" A
CLEAN of revenge may have also "thun-
dered from her eyes" and smile of
scorn "paralyzed her lips" but when
we reached the place where the words
crashed through her teeth we read no
further. -NOrriStOWn Herald. 0
A traveller who had stopped at q
third-class inn said in an angry tone to
the inn-keeper: at is abominable!
was devoured all night long by the
ed-bugS." That's very astonishing"
replied the inn-keeper, innocently:
Yesterday my waiter and L killed
more than hundred and fifty of them
in your chamber. ."-AtlantG COnStttn-
ton.
Look a heah, sab, Indignantly
exclaimed a colored gentleman, "does
yer mean ter call me thief" "bat' s
whut | means" "An' why, sab?
'Splain yerse'f ur take de rough conse-
quence.'' "'Case seed yer when yer
stole a coat" "Wall, dat's all right,
but eff yer hadn't seen me L d er whipped
yer, sho'. Better be pertic'lar how yer
fools wild me, man, case | comes from
a proud family. ."-ArkGnsaU Tracetler.
What's mesmerism P' asked
Poots' little boy the other day. Mes
merism, son, is well-let's see.
how can make you understand itp 1t
is the-where's your dictionary? But
no, never mind. I'll explain it in
another way" and then Poots, who
thinks he has a remarkably powerful
mind, undertook to exert mesmeric
influence on his son. Fixing his eyes
on his son in a way that made the 10y
shudder, he said, as he pointed to the
clock: See that pretty bird! Hear il
sing! Let's catch it and put it in a
cage" and he got up and dragged the
unwilling boy after him. Pretty bird!
pretty bird!' he said, as he patted the
clock. Then the boy broke away with
ap awful yell. knocking the clock down
in his terror, and yelling: Ma! ma
Pas got the jims again" And that
wound up Poots' experiments in mes
merism, Boston Post.
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06
Temperance.
THE DRUNKARD'S WIFE.

In hospital ward a woman lay,
Painfully gasping her life away:
So bruised and beaten you scarce could trace
Womanhoods semblance in form Or face.
Yet the hair that over the pillow Ioicd,
in tangled mass, was like threads of gold;
And never a sculptor in any land
Nodded daintcr foot or hand.
Said one who ministcred to her need:
None but a coward could do this deed:
And what bitter hate must have nerved the
arm
That a helpless creature like this could
harm"
Then the dim eyes hazy with Deaths eclipse,
Slowly unlocked, and the swollen lips
Murmured family: HE loves me we'll
MY husband-'twas drink-be sure you tell
When he comes to himself-that | forgive:
Poor fellow-for HIM would like to live"
And the drunkard's wife on the couch lay
dead.
Oh, fathers, who hold your daughters dear,
Somebody s daughter is lying here.
Oh, brothers of sisters. come and see
What the fate of your precious ones may be;
Oh, man! however you love your home,
Be 1t palace or cottage, meath heavens blue
dome,
For law strikes hands and bargains with sin.
You have legalized crime, you have the gold,
Now hand them over, the sons you sold
Keep pushing them forward. Drink, boys,
drink!
Your fathers are paid for your souls, they
think.
And in the great marts where Mammon strives
Cheapest of all things are human lives
Mrs. E. V. wilson, in Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06

Those picture-eards / brought back
from Boston," remarked Mrs. Parting
ton. in pensive mood. 'rhey are mo-
mentums of the art loan imposition" "
Life,
The Brookhaven leader., 1883-12-06

Marriage and death notices not exceeding
six lines, published free. All over six lines
will be charged for at regular advertising
rates
aS-NH advertisements due when inserted,
unless otherwise agreed upon.-es
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03
The Peril Of travellers.

A man who lately held the positionof
night telegraph operator aS one of the
stations on New England railroad has
related to- a rel brter Of theSNew Haven
Union personal experience which
serves to illustrate the chances of dis
aster to which travellers are, constantly
exposed He was the only man in the
depot at night and his hours were from
Y 30 D. m. to 7:30'a. m! 81 One night he
dropped asleep at his instrument and
the next thing he knew he awoke to
hear the rumble of an approaching
train, and his telegraphic call vigor-
ously sounded on the receiver before
him. To his dismay he perceived that
his right hand and arm were asleep, as
the common expression is. and totally
useless. and it was only with great Diff
ficulty that he could give an Ineligible
response to the signal with his left hand
and scrawl brief memorandum of the
instructions which followed. However
he did succeed in stopping the ap-
preaching train and giving the impor-
tant orders which he had just received.
But" said he to the reporter, the
affair frightened me so that | deter
mined never to nap any more in that
Office, and to get off the road just as
soon as 1 could find a decent place else
where -
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03

According to Western operator it
appears that during the last few years
the English have invested heavily in
American stock cattle, and are now
sreaping rich reward for their ven-
lures. 1t is estimated that nearly one
sixth of all the new herds in the coun-
try are owned by English capital. That
the English have hit it so far there is
not a doubt. but whether their good
fortune will continue is quite another
matter Many say that the present high
price of beef is due to the large body of
cattle withdrawn from the market to
raise herds. The enterprise of the
English has aroused the Americans. and
American capital is now seeking invest
ment in cattle-raising out West. 1t is
the large amount of foreign capital
seeking investment in cattle that has
driven the price up SO high. Cattle this
spring are higher than ever before for
stock purposes, and twenty-eight dol
lars, thirty dollars and thirty-two dol
lars per head are not considered too
high prices to ask. l hope soon to see
cattle, lower, when they can be bought
for say sixteen dollars to twenty-five dol
lars per head. Not that | am sanguine
that such will be the case. The cattle
business has been so long neglected that
it can not be picked up at once in the
face of population of 55,000.OoO Of
people and their enormous demands.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03
Great Flights Of Pigeons.

Instances are on record where Ant
werp homing pigeons have averaged
upward of mile minute during
flight lasting four hours and three
Quarters, or more than sixty miles an
hour for nearly five hours. A most re-
markable race was flown from Rome
to Belgium in 1868. The distance is 900
miles, nearly 500 Of which was over a
country entirely new to the birds. Of
the POO birds liberated scarcely twenty
reached home. Those making. the trip,
if they flew in a direct line, must have
crossed the Apennines near Monte
Cimone, where the mountains are be-
tween 5000 and 1000 feet high. and
the Alps near the st. Gothard. where
tine lowest passes are about ,O00fe 1t
is more than probable. however, that they
rounded to the westward of these
mountains and passed by way Of Nice
through France. The first bird reached
home about twelve and one-haf days
after being liberated. The greatest dis
lance eyer. flown by homing pigeon
was madein 1879 or 1880 from Madrid,
Spain, to Brussels, Belgium, a distance
Of l, 100 miles, air line. In 1873 there
was grand concourse from Rome to
Brussels, in which l ,O66 birds took part.
. Only sixty two reached home. In. this
" country onek of the longest flights on
record was made in 1880 from India
napolis to Jersey City-630 miles-by
"Gartield,' silver ash cock now
owned by George V. CressOn of the Red
Star homing pigeon club.-Philadelphia
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03

tnat Il. 81. D. is Golden Medical discovery,
the boon of the diseased. This wonderful
medicine cures all humors, from the worst
scrofula to common blotch, pimple, or
eruption. Erysipelas, salt-rheun. fever
sores, scaly or rough skin, in short, All
diseases caused by bad blood, are con,
quered by this powerful, purifying, and
invigerating medicine. Great eating ulcers
rapidly heal under its benign Influences
Especially has it manifested its potency in
curing letter, boils, carbuncles, scrofulous
sores and swe1lings, white swellngs, goitre
or thick neck aud enlarged glands. Cor
sumption, which is scrofulouss dseaso OF
the lungs, is promptly and positively ar
rested and cured by this sovereign and
God-given. remedy, if taken kePre the Last
stages are reached. For weak lungs spit-
ting of blood, consumptive night-sweats
and kindred affections, it is a sovereign
remedy. For indigestion, dyspepsia and
torpid liver, or s. bilousness," Golden Medl-
cal Discovery has no equal, as 1t effects
perfect and radical cures.
ANou will do wen if xmfcteaWlth -
81 chronic disease to write to fhe Asapetas
stion for advice, desert bing your Malay a.
well as YOU can. MANY scaseN are sukcesS
fully treated thropgh cores p9naMY 81
no fees are charged Tor consuItdsfcn. f0fs
one dollar and half you can secure
copy of the "People's Common Sense Med
3 ical Adviser" sent postpaid to your ad-
dress. Its ppfchase YifsSepay. you. s1n
this Given More Desirable informatqn
.sfhaA ZoG can find in any her work IA
Similar nature @sHa-1
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03
Not q WOdel Detective.

Yesterday Sfternoon vsunp LADY.
wearing look of innocence upon her
countenance. entered police headauar-
t.nsbI Ii G nany %e5 assembled NIB ID
there. as if searching for some particu-
Lar ,perse b, Ealkedl up to one of the
S ;1s astHfsiS Sffed fSs :adstssct
Amy particular one3'' asked the
s's no s,AH- s.tI. 10 ,tAgiiv ,r,. IN i
half whisper.
Pray be seated said the clerk, of
fering the lady chair: .'as soon as one
comes in-I expect one every moment
I will present him to you
In few moments o6eEof sthe detect
i've force. who is Mated among his
brother officers as caring more for his
business than for style and fine clothes,
came in and was introduced to the
young lady in waiting, and at his re-
quest she accompanied him into an adj
Jctning- office BefoSs stating her busi-.
nesor even takin$ seat which, the
OTHER offsRed her, *shs looked at him
from head to foot for a few moments. and
then asked, ''Are you really detect
ive?'
This question brought pFblush 10 the
officers face aad for second he seemed
staggered and at a loss for an answer,
but he soon recovered his composure,
assured the lady that he was a detect
i've, and inquired why she had asked
that question.
TO be frank with you," said the lady,
after some hesitation, Il never haze
had anything to do with policemen and
detectives. l never saw but one detective
in my life, and he was pointed out to
me by a friend as he was passing by US
on the street. He was dressed in the
most fashionable of clothes, wore a huge
diamond scarf pin, a double chain with
1ocket pendant, and 2 big diamond ring
on his finger: T supposed that an the
|, detectives dressed, like that, and there
: fore wien I Saw YOU and failed to OBJ
serve all this finery of dress and dia-
mopds. | thought you were only plain
'sPGieemansY sk'L>5E - 90
The officer smiled, and proceeded to
take notes of the case the lady had to
lay before him.-!San Francisco Call.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03

The so-called Gould Roads are the
Wabash, Manhattan Elevated. Missouri
Pacific. Missouri. Kansas & Texas,
Texas & Pacific. Hannibal & St. Joseph,
International & Great Northern, st. louis
& IRON Mountain. ST. Louis & San Fran
cisco. The Vanderbilt Roads are New
York Central, New York & Harlem,
Lake Shore, Naw Yors, Chicago l& St.
Louis. MieHgsn ceptra1 Canada South
ern ChiAsss &slforth vestern.S Chica-
go- St. Panl,AMinneapolis & Omaha,
Philadelphia & Reading. Cleveland, Co
Inmbus. Cincinnati & indianapolis, and
(as reported) the Central New Jersey
Chicago Herald.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-05-03

Mr. g. F. Watts, r. A, English az
fist, tells his countrywomen that ex-
IRENE tightpess of dress. is a very haz-
sardous seNperiment., Even beautiful
arms, when very tightly enclosed. look
not a little like sausages.~ But 1T is al
ways to be remembered that folds, with
their infinite ,5changeableness of shade,
light and shadow. are more beautiful
than anything. excepting that perfec.
ton of form which is rarely found.