davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
About Toys.

What toys are made of, and whence
they come, are inquiries which are
often made Of perplexed elders. Large
quantities Of cheap wooden toys come
from Switzerland, and some few spe-
cialities from Germany, But the ma
jority of the toys which decorate
English Christmas trees first see the
light in Paris, where more than five
thousand workmen obtain a living by
making them. Toy cannons are fabri-
Gated from old sardine boxes. And
the zinc furniture" of wooden guns
is derived from workshop snippings,
worn-out spouting, and roofing zinc
which is beyond service. Old leather
purses are cut up to make the shoes
which young lady dolls are shod. The
wooden sides of those little drums
which can be made the implements
of such exquisite torture to the ma
ture ear, are fashioned out of the
slaves of old oil barrels.
More than 100000 boxes of "loto'
are made in Paris every year. The
pieces for playing the game of "acro-
bats" a toy which is very popular on
The continent, and is sold in the shops
for half franc, pass through tlfty-two
pair of hands before they leave the
orkshop. Germany, pre-emlnent in
military matters, has Il monopoly
the supply Of Ieaden soldiers
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
Longevity of the Sexes.

The greater longevity of women, as
compared with men, appears to be
well borne out by the statistics of ev-
cry country that have yet been exam
ined, says the Phjlalelphi1 Record
Although nature seems to have ten
dency to produce an overplus Of male
children. the number of women of 70
years of age and over is greatly in eX-
cess of that of the men of similar ad-
vanced ages. 1t is true that men,
from their occupations, run far more
Iisk from accident than women; that
on the whole, they arc subject to a
greater mental strain; that war claims
its quota; and that alcoholic and seXu-
al excuses shorten the lives of many.
On the other hand, the work and the
life of women is carried on indoors,
under conditions of confinement and
lack of light and air which seem I'M
bearable to men; that they are also
subject to all the sickness and perils of
collaborating; while the hygienic sins
of a defective education and a life of
fashionable dissipation are probably
as potent for harm as the vices of the
men. If we take the factors which
tend to shorten life as equal for the
two sexes, then it is plain that the fe-
male sex is endowed with the larger
share Of that constitutional vitality
which conduces to longevity. 1t seems
probable that this is the case. 1t is
known to be the case with the females
of many species Of animals, and il
seems but natural that the sex upon
which the actual labor Of re production
is thrown should have additional vital.
ity to meet the strain.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
Making Gold Lace,

One of the most singular mechanical
operations imaginable is the making OF
gold wire for what is known as gold
lace. The refner first prepares a solid
rod of silver about an inch in thick
ness; he beats this rod, applies upon
the surface a sheet of gold leaf, bur-
nishes this down, and so on, until the
gold is about one-hundredth part the
thickness of thesilver. The rod is then
subjected to train of processes which
brings it down to the state of fine wire
when it is passed through holes in 4
steel plate, lessening step by step in
diameter. The gold never deserts the
silver, but adheres closely to it, and
shares all its mutations; it is one-hun
dredth part the thickness Of the silver
at the beginning, and it maintains the
same ratio to the end AS to the thin.
ness to which the gold-coated rod OF
silver can be brought, the!imit depends
on the delicacy of human skill. 1t has
been calculated, however, that the golt
actually placed on the very finest silver
wire for gold lace is not more than
one-third of one-mill onth of an inch
in thickness; that is. not above one
tenth the thickness of ordinary gold
leaf.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
General Dix Puts on His Uniform.

The following anecdote is from an
illustrated article in the Century, by
GeorgeF. Williams, the well-known war
correspondence Lights and Shadows
of Army Life:' In some regiments the
discipline was so strict that men on post
as sentinels were on the alert to discover
any delinquency Of their superiors. At
Federal Hill, Baltimore, Colonel (af-
terward General) Warren gave orders
to his Zouave guards that only officers
in uniform were to be admitted into
camp. One bright Sunday morningin
August, 1861, General Dix, who COM
manded the troops guarding the city,
walked over from Fort MclIenry at
tired in an old linen buster, instead of
the brass-buttoned and velvet-cuffed
coat belonging to his rank. Attempt
ing to pass the line of sentries in COM
pany with an aide, the old general was
amused at finding a musbet barring
his passage, while the aide, with his
glittering shoulder-straps, was permit
ted to enter.
"But don't you see that this is Cen
eral Dix?" exclaimed the aide, angrily.
"Well, between you and me, Major"
said the Zouave, his eyes twinkling
with amusement, 81 see very well who
it is, but if General Dix wants to get
into this camp, he had better go back
AMI put on his uniform"
"You are quite right, sentry" re-
marked the general. "In 60 back
and get my coat"
An hour a(terward, the general, in
full uniform, approached the. camp,
and, allowing the guard reserve to be
called out, accepted the salute due his
rank and position, and the incident in
creased his admiration for the entire
command.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
Pay of Government Officials.

A Washington letter to the st. Louis
PoSt-Dispatch says: The recent resig-
nation of United States Judge with
the frank statement that the salary of
his position would not warrant him in
longer holding it, calls some attention
to the salaries paid officials of the
government as compared with those Of
other countries. Our Minister to
France gets $l7,500. England pays
her Minister to France $4,000, and
gives him palace to live in. We pay
our Minister to England $4,000.
England pays her Minister to Wash
ington $50, year, and gives him a
great mansion, fully equipped and fur
niohcd, and $4,000 year for entertain
ments. England even pays her Minis
ter to Persia $4,000 a year, and gives
him palace, She even pays her Rep
resentative to Greece more than we
pay our highest officers. We pay our
Chief Justice Sl0,50o a year, and our
Associate Justices $4,000. Chief JUS
tice Coleridge gets $4,000. The other
eight Judges of his court ct $4,000 a
year each. Even the English Consul
at New York receives Il salary OF over
$4,000 year, General Sheridan gels
something like sl5,000 aycar. General
Wolseley gets about $4,000. The
clerk of the House of Representatives
receives $1,000 year. The clerk of
the Lower House of Parliament in
England receives about $4,000 ayear.
The Queen Of England, for herself
alone, receives every year from the
English government over $3,OOO,OOO
for life. Our President receives $780,
900 a year for four years. The Prince
of Wales draws every year 100000
from the English treasury. The Prin-
cess of Wales, for pin money, gets $780,,
600 a year; Princess Louise, Marchion-
ess of Lorne, gets $4,000 a year;
Prince Arthur gets $4,000 aycar,
and Prince Leopold about the same
sum. Then comes the Duchess of
Cambridge, $4,000; the Princess of
Teck, $4,000; the Duke Of Cambridge,
100000, and any number of others.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
McnnOnites Choosing Il Deacon.

There were eight candidates for the
deaconship, who were nominated a few
Sundays preceding the day of this
NEE ing by votes from all the members
Of the several congregations who wish.
ed to vote, the voting being done ver-
bally before the officiating ministers
in ante-rooms to the churches Rev.
Christian Riser and Deacon David
Leaman went to the ante-rOom of the
Hammer Creek church and took eight
books, placing in one Of them a slip Of
paper on which was written the author.
ity comforting the title Of deacon. Re-
pairing to the main room. the books
were placed on a table before the can
didates. Each of the eight candidates
then chose book. a profound silence
fell over the assemblage. Rev. Christ
ian Bomberger began opening the
books, looking for the slip Of paper,
passing successfully the first man, the
second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth,
but when he opened the book of .he
seventh the paper was found, the sus
pense in which the assembly was held
was broken. Deacons are selected
when a vacancy occurs and this was
the last selected for number of years.
Hence the meeting was of unusual in
terest and the attendance large.-Lan-
caster (Pcnn.) EDdniner.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
An Alaskan Costume.

Prof. Richardson, who has returned
from a trip to Alaska, giving his eXpe-
riences in the st. Louis Pioneer Press,
says: "Ihc Alaskans dress in furs and
skins, with the tails left on for trim
ming. Some of the most civilized
paint their faces and a6Orn themselves
with all sorts of gew-gaws equal to
our American Indians. The women
dress in flaming colors and many paint
their faces, all except the nose, a dead
black. They have us many customs
and legends as other Indians. at Fort
Wrangle we saw the "totem poles"
standing twice as high as the house,
and engraved with ancient legends.
The missionaries have done great
deal for them on the coast. The tribes
in the interior, where we did not 60,
are still savage and war iiercely with
one another. But along the coast they
are poaceable and friendly with the
whites and have great confidence in
the missionaries. Twenty years ago
crucilixion for witchcraft was common,
now it is unknown where the mission
aries and their schools and churches
have penetrated
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

How strange 1t is that ideas in varl-
GUS parts Of the globe are so contra
dictory. For instance, take the ques-
tion Of girls. In spite of our advancing
ideas, we have a general conviction
that girls should not be put to very
hard work, We shield them If we
can. In Asia AMI Africa, on the con-
trory, in spite Of all we are always
hearing of the lazy lives Of women in
those countries, an old belief prevails
that they were born to labor. The
sameis true in many parts Of Germany.
In Turkestan and on the Tartar
steppes, the Kirghese sultanas and
their daughters, in whose veins flow
the blood of long lines Of kings, still
milk the sheep, cows and goats, and
perform the mental duties Of the house
hold. They reverse our order of things
The mother wears silk and the daugh-
ter calico; the mother cultivates ac-
complishmehts and the daughter does
the drudgery; in fact, they really con-
slider the mother entitled to the best Of
everything. Such is it to be I'M
civilized. There the mother is at
home in the parlor and the daughter
in the kitchen, and we would look in
vain for the child too fashionable and
well-educated to scorn her mother
What blessed state Of affairs
PhHadelphi0 call.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
Fashion Notes.

Maline remains the favorite material
for wells.
Considerable French jewelry is seen
on millinery.
Most of the imported woollen dresses
are made up over velvet skirts.
BrOcades come ornamented with
silver and gold beads sewn on by
hand.
Very slender bracelets are in vogue
No two alike are worn at the same
time.
Wrappers are seen this season made
Of monte cloth and edged with lace.
Gilt hat pins are not so long as they
were in the spring and summer.
Hercules braid comes in all colored
tinsel of checber-board designs for
dresses and bOnnets.
The most popular umbrellas are
those with a chased silver ring for
handle and rolling up very small
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

A Wall street broker remarked the
other day; Women are the most reck-
less gamblers in the world, l never
yet knew one to come out ahead specu-
lating in Wall street, for they never
know when to let go. As spectators,
however, they have ten times the
nerve of men, and they stand their
losses with extraordinary fortitude.
A striking instance Of the hold which
gambling gains on any one occurred
the other day. A woman came into
my office about | o'clock in the af-
ternoon and asked to see me on
matter Of Importance. / went out to
her and found she had travelled all
the way down from Springfield,
Mass, for the purpose of investing
some money. She took bank book
out of her BOSOM and showed me
that she had deposit of $4,000.
While l was talking to her it occurred
to me several times that her face was
familiar, but found it was impossi-
bic to place her. Finally | asked her
and she seemed greatly surprised that
l had forgotten. She recalled the fact
that she came to my Office nearly
twelve years ago with $1,000 and be-
gan to speculate. She had made $lO,-
900 within two weeks and then sud
denly got caught in furry and was
completely wiped out She lost every
cent that she had She went back
to Springfield and here she is
again ready to blow in the rest of
her savings, During all these twelve
years she saved the money carefully,
and every day she has read the stock
reports in the newspapers. She has
followed the market carefully and her
ideas are sound enough on stocks, but
there is no chance of her winning.
Four thousand dollars won't 60 far
when you speculate with it in big
Jumps, and the least little turn of the
market is likely to send her back to
Springfield penniless. This case re-
minds me of another one l had about
year ag1. | was going out of the
office about / o'clock in the afternoon
on my way home, when became
aware that there was woman sitting
in one Of the Office chairs staring
blankly out Of the window. | remem-
bered that she had been there for two
or three hours, and made some in
ouiries. | found that she was board
ing-house keeper up town, and very
estimable and deserving woman. She
had by hard work succeeded in saving
$1,000 and had listened to the per-
suasions of one of her boarders, a
young stock clerk, and had come down
to my Office and specialized The
money that she had been years scrap
ing together was lost in day. 1 al
most made up my mind then never to
operate for woman again. But
what's the use? If | don't do it some
one else will, and the 'commish' goes
as well with me as with any one. At
least, l think so. "-Bro0blyn Eagle.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
LADIES' DEPARTMENT.

How Mexican wives are Addressed.
In Mexico, as in Spain and other
Southern countries, lady retains her
maiden name after marriage, and
though she annexcs to it that Of her
husband by means of de, she is uni
versally known by her own family
name. 1t is considered more courteous
to address even elderly married ladies
Senorita (miss) instead of Sonora
(madame). The lady of the house is
always called by her servants and de-
pcndents La Nina (the little girl),
though she may have attained the age
of 50. The beggars upon the streets
and the vendors in the market place
address all ladies, young or old,as ninas,
or, when particularly importunate, by
the more affectionate and respectful
term, "nina cita dear little girl.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

It seems to be overlooked by meter
ologsts, says writer in the Journal
of Science, that when a season has
taken decided character, whether as
wet or dry, the ordinary indications
of change seem to lose their meaning.
In 1879 all signs of fair weather,
drawn from the appearance Of the
clouds, the actions of birds and in
sects, ETC., were quite misleading. And
in the present season Ihave more than
once seen the commonly accepted
signs of rain 60 for nothing. The
sky may become gradually overcast,
with dark ragged masses of underscud;
there may be a "hollow and a buster
ing wind swallows may fly low, slu;,s
come out in numbers, bubbles of g 8
rise from bitches, etc. but the wealth.
or romans dry, or at the most there is
o slight showeE
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

Mr.. Pearce the builder of the Alas
ka, the Oregon and other fast steam
ers, has proclaimed the belief that the
voyage across the Atlantic will ere
long be accomplished in six days. But
this is as nothing compared with the
hope which Il Leeds gentleman an
nounces to an astonished world. lie
promises when he has built his ship
to carry people from Liverpool to
New York in three days. This won
derful achievement is to be brought
about by his new aqua-a'rial or wave.
ship. The aQua-aerial ship is intenl-
ed for express, mail and passenger
service, also for unarmored war-ship5
for which great speed is desirable.
The wave ship is Of shallow draught
when at rest, and when set in motion
its draught is to decrease with the
increase of speed. Instead of plowirg
its way through the water it is to
skim along over the surface, thereby
avoiding the chief cause of resistance
to the progress of ordinary ships viz;
wave making The resistance offered
by the water to its onward course is
thus to be reduced to minimum, and
the power uselessly expended in
wave making and displacement of
water by vessels of the ordinary type
is to be wholly utilized in the increase
of speed. This is to be accomplished
by making the bottom of the vessel
series of inclined planes placed one
after the other. Why not arrange to
have the vessel lift herself out of the
water with the exception of the heel
of her rudder post and let her skim
along on that? The voyage might then
perhaps, be accomplished in few
hOurS
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
SCIENTIFIC SCRAPS.

Biologists say that the coal beds Of
the earth will be exhausted in 1885
years.
In the southern part of Nevada il
a house built out Of stone which is
wood petritied.
An Assyrian tablet, which has been
declphered, gives an account of Il
transit Of Venus 1000 years B. c..
During the sudden changes of tenn
perature siphons containing mineral
waters become dangerous. A rapid
rise Of the thermometer will some
times increase the pressure 100 per
cent, and produce violent explosion.
Prof. Bartholow says that "yho
Mississippi valley is as much the hab-
itat Of cholera as the Ganges is, the
conditions being the same, and spo-
radio cases occurring every year"
The doctor, who has had a large
experience with the disease, ailirms
that for its treatment there is no
agent comparable to choral.
From observed facts a writer con
cludes that in Indiana turtles always
hibernate, the soft shelled species
burrowing deepest. Frogs and toal5
usually hibernate, but nevis do not,
and the most hardy fish retire to the
deeper parts Of the water, while the
most delicate species hibernate
The skin or outer cover of the insect
consists of the cuticle, not comparable
with any part Of the skin of verte-
brate and underlying tissues. The
cuticle consists Of two very distinct
layers one thick and transparent, the
other, in which also pigment is devel-
oped, thin and Opaque. The pigment
is disposed in beautiful, microscopic
markings, differing in different species
TO prevent the growth of moss or
weeds on gravel walks it is suggested
to sprinkle salt pretty freely on the
paths, (about pound to the square
yard does for one year at least care
being taken not to let the salt fall on
the box borders or the edges Of the
grass. a damp but not n rainy day
is the best for this operation. Some
apply boiling solution Of salt (aOout
a pound to the gallon of w0ter) with
a common watering pan, so that a
pound Of the salt will be received by
every square yard of walk, y much
weaker solution will serve the same
purpose if it should be required again
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

Statistics as TO the employment Of
women in England show that, while
nearly all of them are engaged in occu-
pations~hich require no high degree OF
muscular development, 341 OF them arc
blacksmiths. The number of female
teachers IS 1883 The blacksmith,
thus it appears, has no reason to "view
with alarm" the cncroachments Of
women into his shop.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

From a statement prepared a! the Uni
ted States Land Office showing the dis
posal of the public lands for the fiscal
year ended June 80, 1881, it appears that
the cash sales amounted to 6,317,S
acres, from which were realized $40, SOP, =
5S2. The original homestead entries in
cluded 1881, 500 acres, the final home.
stead entries 2,0i5, 81 acres, and the
timber culture entries 4,0Sl, 4G} acres.
The miscellaneous dispcslls aggregated
S,G00,219 acres, including 1913, l54
acres of railroad lauds, for which the
sum of 81, 536, 40 WAS received. The az
crate number of acres Of land disposed
OF under all heads including the final
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29
Astrakhan is to be used extensively

Astrakhan is to be used extensively
this winter for trimming purposes, 1t
comes in all the new shades.
Accordion skirts are seen ornament
ed with stitched figures in. the Baya'
diera style in different colored silks.
At the most fashionable English
weddings stephanotis is sewn on the
brides dress instead of orange bios.
SONS.
Dog collars are more than ever worn
around the neck in Paris, and crosses
and lockets are frequently attached to
them.
Hoase slippers are made this season
Of garnet and crimson alligator, kan
CARGO or angola skins, which are dur
able as well as soft.
The mesh of cloth used for costumes
cannot be too coarse. The Bannock-
burn tweeds which are popular come
almost as coarse as horse blankets.
Close-ftting jackets are made either
double or single breasted,
1t is fashionable once more to trim
basques around tho edge.
Upon some very stylish-looking
gypsy hats of darkest green velvet are
coronets o. orange -colored nasturtiums,
mingled with sprays of pale green
maiden-hair fern.
Many draperes of costumes are
joined to the front of the oyerskirt with
a band Of ribbon, others with fan
plating, and others still like braid.
The fashion of cutting demi-toilet
dresses square or V shape in the neck
seems to be more than ever the vogue,
and now comes the rumor that the
bonnet strings are to be removed.
Silk Jerseys are plain or have silver
and gold GALLON trimmings. They are
in light shades, generally of the color
of the skirt with which they are worn.
They are also to be seen in contrasting
hueS.
Basques which are plated below the
waist in the back and those which
have the side forms caught up in loops
and fastened in place by gimp orna
ment are equally in favor.
AS compromise between the plain
bodice and the draped tunic, sort Of
jacket is made with plated basques,
which form kind Of panier and
tournure; this may be either Of the
same material as the skirt or of
another-sometimes the draperies only
are of Il different material.
Seven is the number of the leading
colors this year, says an authority, but
not one of tt EN- is in the rainbow.
The violet is turned to prune and
heliotrope; the green to duck and
myrtle; the yellow to cinnamon and
bronze; the red to mahogany, and the
rest are blended in a gray.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

A distinguished English sea captain
Is reported to have been cured of
drums onness by the following prcscrip-
ton gwen him by an eminent physician.
It is also said to have been the means
of saving hundreds Of others from a
drunkard's grave: Sulphate of iron,
twenty grains; magnesia, forty grains;
peppermint, torty-four drains; spirits
of nutmeg, four drains. Dose, one
teaspoon twice day.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-10-29

Few, even those who are devotees oil
the ''silent Wheel" are aware of the
number and variety of kinds of vcloci-
pcdes that have been patented in this
country. The number of patents for
yelocipcdes of all sorts including sad
dies, is about nine hundred. OF these,
tricycles constitute the great majority, or
nearly two-thirds Of the whole.