davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
A SnIendid Structure.

The new palace of justice at Brussels,
one of the largest and most remarkable
constructions of modern times, was re-
Gently opened with becoming solcmnity.
The palace, placed in q commanding sit
uation in the most elevated part of the
town, was commenced in 1866. The
celebrated architect, NJ. j. Poelaert, who
made the plans and directed the work,
has, unfortunately, not seen its compile
tion. Since his death, in 1879, the works
have been directed by NJ. Wellens, cngin-
ecr in the service of the government. NJ.
Poelaert did not adopt any determined
style, but made use for his magnificent
structure of Greek, Roman, and even,
especially as regards the outline, of In
dian models. The result is considered
glorious one for his memory and for
the country, but it has only been OBJ
tanned at cost of 45,000,00 francs
(S9OOO,OOO). Very large sums will
be required for the transformation
of the quarter surrounding the
palace so as to give it frame
worthy of it. The palace by itself COW
crs $4,000 square meters. BY adding
the squares and ascents and descents
which had to be created, total of co.
600 square meters, which were necessary
for construction, is arrived at. The cen
tral hall measures 300 square meters,
and is IS meters high, while its roof
opens into a gilt crown terminating in a
cllpoa at height of 975
meters, The palace contains beside
twcnty-sevcn large and 245 smaller
halls for the different services,
and eight court-yards. All the principal
halls are most richly decorated.
The materials which have been employed
in the construction and decoration are
the most durable which could be provi-
dcd by money, after most comprchen-
+ sive study of the matter. The building
is, indeed, almost indcstructible, and will
transmit the name Of Poelaert to the
most distant times. The outside height
up to the crown on the cupola is 11a
meters. From whichever side one now
approaches Brussels this colossal build
ing presents itself, dominating the town
and surrounding country. Critics, of
course, find fault with this and that, but
on the success of the great enterprise as
a whole Belgium must be congratulated
on.-LOndon Times.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
Norwegian Snow Skates.

The Norwegian snow skates must not
be confused with the Canadian, which
are much broader and used in quite
different way. The Norwegian snow
skates are made entirely of wood; their
length is about eight feet, and their
breadth three inches to four inches, the
forepart being little pointed "nd curved
upward. The under side isvcry smooth,
sometimes with little groove planed
along the middle. Some people use
them tightly fastened to the feet; others
only put the forepart of the foot
through witty band fastened to the
skate, which enables them to withdraw
from it easily in case of fall. The diff
ferent parts of the country have their
own shape of snow skates, either little
narrower or broader, shorter or longer.
Only by the necessity of using the snow
skates one can explain the wonderful ex-
pertness at which the Norwegian peas
ants arrive. In order to get to the top
of hill the skater tacks up the sides OF
the hill, like ship against the wind,
sliding on the surface of the snow, and
never lifting his feet from the ground,
except when making side turn, or
he goes straight up, lifting one foot
sideways over the other. A staff about
five feet long, grasped with both hands,
is used by some people, either on, the left
or right side. The hill chosen for excr-
else or matches is often hundreds of feet
high and pretty steep, of course, accord
ing to the ability of the runner. Let us
now commence the descent. After q few
steps the speed soon increases SO much
that you can hardly breathe, and all your
thoughts must be concentrated on keep
ing your balance. In the lower part of
the hill the acceleration produces speed
which may sometimes be compared with
that of an express train. Should you
feel symptoms of an approaching loss of
balance, you must use your staff, which
will partly retard the speed. But if you
use the staff too much, you are called
=" staff-rider," and not considered as q
good runner; therefore, people avoid it as
much as possible, and many never use it
at all, even down the most difficult hills.
There are often drops on the sides of the
hill, either from following its natural out
line or caused by snow riffs. When the
runner comes to one of these he has to
make an aerial voyage, and the most diff
ticult moment is when he comes to the
ground again, as it is matter of chance
whether he will land on his feet or make
n series of somersaults and he buried in
the snow.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
A Valuable Bottle in the Atlantic.

Two business men sat in the office of
the Brevoort house one evening last week
discussing matters pertaining to the sea.
The conversation turning upon the posi-
bility of a sealed bottle thrown from q
vessel in nid-occan ever being picked
up, one of them said:
II will bet you good dinner and a
gold watch that such a bottle, thrown
from the steamship Bothnia on her next
trip, will not be heard from within q
year."
~ will take your offer" returned the
other with q smile, "and will certainly
be ready for your dinner when the time
comes"
S,,Henry n. Collier, dealer in watches
and diamonds, was appointed referee in
the matter. Under his direction quart
champagne bottle was prepared in which
were deposited letters of instruction writ
ten in English. German, French and
Spanish, and also an order Tor gold
watch. After the bottle had been duly
corked and sealed it was placed in the
hands of Captain Mckay of tine Bothnla,
who agreed to throw it overheard when
the steamship had reached nid-ocean.
AS the Bothnin sailed on Wednesday of
last week it is expected by the men who
made the wager that the champagne bot
tie is now bobbing about on che waters
of the Atlantic waiting to be picked up
by some fortunate tisherman.-Neao York
97.jbuDe
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
Birds at the lighthouses.

The keeper Of the lighthouse at Allan
tic city supplies his table with all kinds
of winged game at certain seasons of the
year without wasting as much as pinch
of shot or using trap of any kind. The
most favorable times for this cheap, sup
ply of game are when the birds are
migrating north In the spring and re-
turning to southern climes in the fall.
They fellow the Jersey coast all the way
up or down in their flights. At night
they fly high, and when they sight Abse-
com Inlet light, which is 167 feet above
the ground, they: head directly for it.
They seem to be attracted the same as
moths flicker around candle flame. If
they are being carried along by heavy
wind they are likely to dash against the
big plate-glass windows surrounding the
lehs, and the little things drop to the
ground dead. The Objectionable feature
of the affair is that they spatter blood all
over the glass, which is sometimes hard
to clean.
To prevent them from striking the
glass, Major Wolf, the keeper, has con-
structed wire netting on the north and
south sides. Not long ago large black
duck, which was sailing along in o heavy
storm, collided with the netting with
such force as to cause dent six inches
square. He was very dead duck when
he reached the ground at the foot of the
tower. When the weather is clear any
number of small birds hover around the
light oil night. After resting on the rail-
ing surrounding the light they fly off
into the darkness, but soon return again.
Major Wolff says: "The little fellows I
catch with my hand. They do not move
away when 1 approach near them. al
ways keep several large boxesup here in
which to store the feathered youngsters.
A species commonly known as fly
catchers, peculiar to the coast, has been
very abundant the past fall. Of these l
captured about 500, beside thirty or forty
thistle birds, five cuckoos, ducks, red
headed woodpeckeTs, reed and rail birds,
gulls and snipe. One large specimen OF
the latter landed 80 violently against the
iron netting that he plunged through
one, of the meshes and stripped himself
of-5tll OF : Gil his feathers as far back as the
shoulders. I also caught five scarlet
tangiers, natives of the West Indies.
They are of deep scarlet color. Pre-
vious to taking this color they are COW
cred with feathers of an olive green
shade. "-Philadelpdia Record.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
POPULAR SCIENCE.

Indrapura, the loftiest of the sumatra
volcanoes, is 5, 700 metres, or II, 500 feet
high. At the summit the temperature il
eight degrees: AT an altitude of s,5oe
metres the region of large trees ter.
inmates.
+: B. Delaney has invented telegraphie
appliances by:which, he says, six opera
tors can send six messages at the. same
time over single wire: Part of. the six
can send messages in one way while tbs
rest are sending them in the other di-
fection.. This will give q wire thres
times the capacity which it has with d
quadruplex instrument.
Some Of tie conclusions of science
would indeed be appalling but for their
practical harmlessness. Thus geologists
assert that if the continents and the bot
tom of the ocean were graded down to
q uniform level the whole world would
be covered with water q mile deep, sd
much greater is the depression Of the
ocean Bed than the elevation Of the ex-
listing land:
-" The selective power of roots" says
MIR. Robert Brown, in paper upon the
food of plants, g is III reality the primary
cause why nations spread naturally over
the world. They must have land to cul-
tivate their crops, and before artificial
methods of renewing the fertility of the
soil were discovered, 1t got 'exhausted'
or worn out, and the agricultural peo-
pie had to seek newer lands, which as
yet lay in all their virgin richness"
DR.. Stefan, well-known oculist of
Frankfort -on-the- Main, has recently
called attention to the injurious character
of many of the occupations of children
in the kindergarten. such as sewing on
perforated cardboard, tracing figures on
punctured paper, etc. Work of this
kind is not only very hurtful to the eyes,
but also to the spine, curvatures of which
may be brought on blythe positions as.
sumed by near-sighted children thus oc-
cupied.
A vessel of special and ingenious de.
Sign is being prepared for Stanley's. use
in Africa. It will be propelled by
stern paddle-wheel, and the hull will be
arranged in such manner that it can be
readily subdivided into number of sec.
tions, each being hoatable and provided
with fittings for receiving four large
wheels. These wheels can be attached
to each section while floating so that it can
be drawn out of the water for transport
overland without difficulty. Each of
the subdivisions of the hull forms, when
fitted with the wheels, a complete wagon
of itself, capable of carrying the mo
chinery of the steamer, merchandise,
stores, etc. It is to be completed by the
end of this year: and will be tested atloat
under steam on the Thames.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27

source of great pain. Let the heels be
well brushed out every hight. Dirt, II
allowed to cake ii, causes grease and
sore heels:
The following is said by an old stock
man who has tried it to he an excellent
recipe for foot-rot: Six tablespoonfuls
Of tallow; ofie teaspoonful red preEipi-
tate, one teaspoonful pulyerized blue:
stone, four teaspoonfuls flour sulphur,
three-fourtH inch cube of beeswax; suf-
ficieht sweet oil for thick paste: Melt
tallow and beeswax and work id other
ingredients as it cools, oil last: This was
given BY. an Old herder, and I found it d
cure in from one to two applications in
very bad cases. Use every other even
ing after cleansing the hoofs.
After all the talk about poisoning from
Paris green it is we'll to give the testi-
tn8ny Of the New York Agricultural Ex.
pertinent. station: 'sOne part Of Paris
green mixed with 200 parts of ground
limestone proved entirely successful
against the Larvae of the potato beetle.
Oloat Calo ID, uoWCfei, lc4uIeo w oo-
cure thorough admixture of the two
substances where so small proportion
of the poison is used. In this dilution
Paris green seems to lose its danger to
the human family, MS we can scarcely
imagine injurious results coming from
its use to the careful man."
A farmer who has tested five different
varieties of peas, according to the cata-
logue from which he made his selections
last spring, now finds that there is not the
slightest difference in any of them. In
earliness, manner of growth, hight of
plant, length of pods, number of peas in
apod-in fact, in every particular, the
alleged different varieties proved to be
one and the same. The farmer thus
victimized pertinently asks: "Have
seedmen the right to give new and catch
ing names to old varieties and to be-
wilder and mislead the public by offer
ering the same article under five different
names ~
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
FACTS 6! FOB THE CURIOUS.
The word from which sthoney', is de
.ived literally }neans u1e1ioht "

. u - - q"
The word from which sthoney,, is de.
rived, literally means delight"
Stirrups were not known by the an
clients. Warriors mounted their horses
by the aid of a projection OH their
spears: -
The oldest brazen musical instrument
is the symbal which has been in use $40
years. Xenophon says that it wss in
vented by Cybele.
The Greeks computed time by the
Olympiads, which began 776-B: G. The
computation of time by centuries was
first adopted in France:
A farmer in Stokes county, N. c., got
into frenzy over his short crops this
season, and cursed heaven end earth.
While he was cursing" he was suddenly
paralyzed:
A sparrow flew against a man as he
was briskly rounding the corner of an
old wall in Louisville, Ky. The birds
bill entered TIE corner of the mans eye,
destroying the sight.
The horse that J. Wilkes Booth rode
after he assassinated President Lincoln
is in the possession of Mrs. Furlong, of
Westmoreland county, Virginia. The
animal is twenty-five years of age.
The distribution of cakes and wine at
wedding is remnant of the old Gus.
tom of sending the remnants of the pre-
vious Sundays communion to the newly
welded pair, that they might share their
first sacrament with their family and
most intimate friends.
The United States government owes
W. b. Vanderbilt SAT, ,050,0O in four
per cents, and sends him draft tor his
1882, 900 annual interest in quartz ly
payments of $47O, 500, which is $214.s4
per hour, or $3.58 in every one Of his
sleeping or waking minutes.
Two farmers one from Oxfordshire
and the other from Wiltshire, recently
engaged in contest in pitching in the
harvest field. One pitched twenty acres
two roods and seven rods, the other over
nineteen acres. The average of all ordi-
nary laborer's pitch is seven acres.
1t takes fully year and half to con-
vert tobacco into snuff, and it goes
through very elaborate preparations.
Like beer, it is allowed to ferment so as
to be thoroughly picked, and is kept in
this condition for at leas, six months.
1t is then subjected to q steam tempera-
ture of 240 degrees, after which it is
ground.
Near the mouth of the Little Chey
cnne river, in Dakota, is a rock with
curious indentations. It is twelve feet
long by seven or eight wide, and rises
above the surface of the ground about
eighteen inches. Its edges are angular,
its surface fiat, and it shows little effect
of ice action. 1t appears to be magne-
sion limestone, and its whiteness makes
it a conspicuous object. On the surface
are several deep and perfect footprints,
as though made by the left moccasined
foot of woman or boy. It is known to.
the Indians as religious rock, and they
worship it.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
A Marine Yarn.

The San Francisco Me'cs-Letter says
that the Star of France, lying at Oak
land, has sensation probably unequaled
in marine accidents. 1t appears that
coming through the topics the cook got
out on the martingale under the bow
spirit to spear dolphins with a grains.
He missed his footing while striking q
fish and was never seen again; but two
hours afterward the first mate caught a
shark fourteen feet long, with dolphin
and the grains, one of the cooks legs,
and gold watch and chain in his
stomach. They recognized the cooks
leg because it was tattoocd all over with
anchors and girls and things. Then the
mate went fishing again with a large
piece of pork, and in two hours caught
another shark with the rest of the cook
in him.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
Household Hints,

To remove rust from stovep,pe, rub
with linseed oil. ..
Hold your hand in very cold water to
remove q tight lingering.
Persons who perspire freely should put
little ammonia in their toilet water. 1t
is pleasant and dries the skin effectively.
Pan cakes are easier to pour when pre-
pared in tin kettle with d spout. A
small one can be purchased for the pur-
pose.
Using rubber comb is often detri-
mental to the hair. Persons with great
deal OF electricity in the hair should use
q bone comb.
When buying tin covers for kettles be
sure that they have rings of wire on the
top, instead of fiat handles soldered on.
as the former are much more durable.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
Fashion Notes.

Brown in all shades is the fashionable
color.
Brocaded stuffs are in demand for long
cloaks, long dolmans, and visites.
There is a great variety in the shapes
and fabrics used for tichus and collars.
Large chenille scarfs make exceedingly
becoming wraps for the head and should
erS.
Cut steel, jet, silver gilt and jeweled
buckles adorn many dressy bonnets and
hats.
Tapestry woods and checked cheviots
are much worn by young ladies who like
color.
Brides and bridesmaids dresses have
sleeves that are drawn on over the kid
gloves.
Silver and gold lace are much used for
trimmings, especially with fancy ma
terials.
Ribbon half of ottoman 1ep and half
of velvet comes in few dark, rich
rhades.
Velvet collars and cuffs worn with q
plain wool house dress are an attractive
addition.
The satchel muff of plush or'fur is
popular for misses in their teens and, for
school girls.
English milliners are using rosettes of
narrow velvet, with a humming bird set
in the center.
Fine, long, elastic cashmere gloves are
taking the place of lined silk gloves fol-
general wear.
Ostrich tips in panaches are the favorite
trimmings for Henri H., Henri Ill, and
Girondin hats.
Children's cloaks of dark velvet and
wool are fashionably trimmed with light
gray lambskin.
Lace of all kinds is very fashionable,
and, considering the great demand for it.
it is inexpensive.
American silks gain in popularity every
season. Their great merit is their en-
during qualities.
skirts Of dresses should be marrow
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
An American Institution.

These, says Ptck's !Sm. are the days Of
that glorious American institution, pump
kin pie. The hotel or restaurant pump
kin pic is not the simon pure article. 1t
has had too many foreign airs added to
it. 1t may be good, and it may pass for
what it was intended, but it cant hold n
candle to the pumpkin pie our mothers
and grandmothers made. Just look at
the difference in the two brands.
Mothers had nice short crust with an
edge about an inch deep, and in this was
plump measure of pumpkin "pulp >,
mixed with nice fresh eggs, milk, and
just enough spice to give it favor. 1t
was picture of blooming, healthy pie.
1t makes mans mouth water to think
of it. The store kind of pumpkin pic
has q sort of sickIy second cousin counte-
nance, and is scarcely over an eighth of
an inch thick, with Il crust on the bottom
that almost breaks timers shears to
cut it. AS for taste, that has to be i'm
agined, as it is a sort of go-as-you-plcase
flavor between tan bark and cinnamon.
There should be some action taken by
the legislatures to prevent the degenera-
ton of this great American institution
the pumpkin pie. If this is not done,
future generations will read in history of
a dish now SO highly priced by patriotic
citizens and grieve to think that the
building of the pumpkin pie of their fore
fathers is 3 lost art.
The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-12-27
A Fine Complexion.

To soften and whiten the skin there is
nothing more beneficial than oatmeal,
taken internally and used extel nally. AS
I have no wish 10 encroach upon the
housewives domain, rll simply give
directions for its external use. After q
warm bath it may be used dry, or pour
boiling water over,a few teaspoonfuls of
it, and let it stand few hours. On GO
ing to bed, wash the hands and face free
ly in the starchy water, and dry without
wiping. Bran and Indian-meal may be
used instead, with nearly the same effect.
For the full bath put the bran or oatmeal
into small bags, otherwise the difficulty
of removing the particles which adhere
to the skin is considerable.
Instead of the poultices of bread and
asses milk which the Roman ladies
found SO efficacious for softening and
whitening the face, we may use a mask
of quilted cotton or chamois skin, wet in
cold distilled water. This will not be
the most comfortable in the world, but
no great excellence is ever attained with
out labor and care. Many ladies whose
compilations are the envy of all their
friends, acknowledge that they owe it
all to distilled water, which they used
for their face and hands. Queen Victoria
is to be envied for one thing, if nothing
else, for she has the delightful comfort
and luxury of having distilled water for
all her baths.
Ladies with oily or greasy skins may
use, sparingly, a few drops of camphor in
the bath. Borex and glycerine combined
are used with good effect by some people,
while thoroughly disagreeing with Others.
Glycerine alone softens and heals, but in
time will darken the skin and make it
over-sensitive: the borax obviates this,
and has tendency to whiten. No toilet
table is complete without bottle of am
monia.. A few drops of this in the bath
cleanses the skin and stimulates it won
derfully. 1t is especially valuable in re-
moving the odor from those who perspire
freely.
To remove tan and sun-burn, cold
cream, mutton tallow and lemon juice
may be used; for freckles apply the
latter, with tiny camels-hair brush.
The country girl, deprived of many things
which her city cousin finds Indispensable,
discovers that she can remove tan from
her face with wash made of green Gu
cumbers sliced into skim milk, or, failing
in this, she makes decoction of butter
mill; an l tansy.
a well-known writer on feminine
beauty recommends the use of finely
ground French charcoal for the COM
plexion. A teaspoonful of this, we'll
mixed with water or honey, should be
taken for three successive nights, fol-
lowed by simple purgative, to remove
it from the system. The apericnt must
not be omitted or the charcoal will
remain in the system, mass Of fostering
poison, with all the impurities it absorbs.
None of these things will bring about
the desired result unless the foundation
is first laid by proper food, exercise and
bathing; above all things do not neglect
the bath. Cleanliness is one of the car
dinal virtues, and woman fresh from
the'bath feels good deal like an angel.
-DiO Leaciy'S iNonthlv.