davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
On the Isthmus of Tehuantepcc.

The Indians, as race, are very
cleanly, always bathing once every day,
and sometimes three or four times,
both men and women laying down their
burdens and going into the stream for
few minutes and then resuming their
way The fact of strangers passing
does not disturb them in the least The
Indians, who are direct descendants Of
the Aztecs and other aboriginal races,
form 6ve-eighth3 of the population of
Mexico, the proportion being greater
on the isthmus than elsewhere. They
have a very dark, clear skin, straight
coal-black hair, beautiful, even, white
teeth, and large dark eyes, with Wild
vacant expression. They are rather
small, but are well formed, especially
the women, many Of whom would lie
fit models for a sculptor. Their hands
and feet are perfect The dress of the
men is the same all over the isthmus,
consisting of two pieces, shirt and
trousers, both pure white-the latter
confined to the waist by gay sash,
over which the shirt is worn loosely, so
that only the ends of The sash show. a
wide-brimmed hat completes the cos
tune, which always includes the ma
chete, long, stout knife, resembling a
sword, carried in leather sheath fast
ened to belt. They use it to cut their
way through the bushes, 10 defend
themselves against poisonous reptiles
to do their planting, to cut their food.
The dress of the Indian women on the
Atlantic side is merely straight piece
of cloth, sometimes gay, but oftener
blue and white striped, called cnredo,
which they weave themselves, and
which is fastened around the waist by
belt. On the Pacific side the enredO
is usually Of a rich indigo-blue, or elss
beautiful dark red, which is eXpen-
sivc, the color being obtained from
shell fishes that yield only one drop
each. On this side a little waist
allied huipilito, is worn; but on the
Atlantic side, as rule, the upper part
of the body is left bare, though some
throw a cloth over their shoulders
when in the streets, which also servea
as a covering for the bed at night.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07

been said that "thcre was not q vice to
which he was not given, nor crime
which he did not commit" that the
prize of senseless prodigaity must be
awarded. In the simple recreation of
fishing he used lines of purple silk and
hooks of gold, His tiara was estimat-
ed to he worth two. and a half millions
Of dollars, and he never wore the same
costume twice. When on a progress
through his dominions, five hundred
asses followed in his trail to supply
milk for the daily bath Of himself and
his wife, Poppma.
Christianity gradually displaced tho
fashions of heathenism, and a deluge Of
barbarism overnowed Italian ciyiliza-
ton. ThenceforwarI, for a long time,
the eXtravagant expenditure Of great
fortunes was confined to the Eastern
empire, whose capital was the city Of
Constantine.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
THE PANAMA CANAL.
Terrible Mortality Among the Workrnor
--Progress OF the Work.

--Progress OF the Work.
sour S20,000000 has been spent in
establishing homes for the engineers
and workingmen along the route of the
Panama Ship Canal" said Captain
James Whitbank, who has been for
more than year engaged in dredging
operations on the canal, and who has
returned home after a tough tussle
with the dreaded swamp fever.
"Plenty of money there, then, Cap
tain ?"
"Oh, plenty. There is only one
thing more common than cash, and
that is death. Men die like the leaves
in autumn. Only the Italians appear
to live. The dead are disposed of with
out ceremony. A shallow grave, no
prayers, and all is in a moment forgot
ten. There are now $4,000 men at
work on the canal, mostly negroes
from Jamaica and the French West
Indies, These negroes are brought
over in droves as fast as those at work
die, and l venture to say that not two
thirds of the $4,000 laborers now at
work will be alive year from now.
It's dreadful. Five thousand died
during the past three months; but the
large pay tempts men to brave all the
danger. The company appears to have
an unlimited supply of money, ,and pays
off every two weeks"
"What progress has been made in
the four years.
"Well, two miles and half of the
canal proper has been dug out. Origi-
nally this section was drGdged to a
depth of fourteen feet, but is now only
six feet deep, the soft swamp lands
pressed down by the weight of the dirt
thrown out on either side filling in the
canal from underneath. A great deal
Of work has, however, been done with
the great steam shovels in levelling the
high lands through which the canal is
to pass, and dredging will soon be
started in those sections. Work is
now progressing upon the only large
mountain which bars the way of the
canal from ocean to ocean. This
mountain is 400 feet high and nine
miles in circumference, and is to be cut
down with steam ploughs and carted
away. The company has been CON-
PEELED to spend S20,000,000, as l said
to locate homes through the swamps
from which as basis the work Of dig
ging out the canal can be carried on
IiIis worh ncvcsrtuaUcu tho UuIIu,ug or
railroad branches into the swamps and
the making of solid foundations with
stone and gravel, hundreds of feet
wide and miles in extent. Luborers
get So day,and skilled mechanics and
bosses from 800 to $3.50 a month";
"Will the canal ever be fnished?"
"Not, l think, unless the swamp
sections are constructed with piling,
and that would cost so large an amount
of money that the scheme could not
possibly pay. But the company ap
pears to have all the cash necessary to
carry on the work. ."-Philadelphia
Record.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
summer Days.

In summer when the days were long,
We walked together in tho wood;
Our heart was light, our step was strong,
Sweet futterings were in our blood.
In summer, when the dnys were long
We straycd from morn till evening came;
We gathered flowers and wove US crownsi
We walked mid poppies red us flame
OSsat upon the yellow downs;
And always wished our life tho same.
In Summer when tho days were long,
We l,apcd the hcdge-row, crossed the brook
And still her voice flowed forth in song,
Dr. else she read some graceful book,
In summer, when the days wero long.
And then wo sat beneath the trees,
With shadows lessening in the moon;
And in the sunlight and tho breeze
We feastcd, many a gorgeous June,
While lNrks were singing o'er tho leas.
We loved and yet we knew it not
for loving seemed like breathing then,
Wo found heaven in every spot;
Saw angels, too, in all good men,
And dreamed of God in grove and grot.
In summer, when the days are long,
Alone wander, muse alone.
] sec her not; but that old song
Under The fragrant wind is blown,
In summer, when the days arc Ion
Alone, wander in tho wood,
Dut one fair spirit hears my sighs;
And half | see, so glad and good,
Inc honest daylight of her eyes,
That charmed me under earlier skies,
In summer, when the days are long,
[ love her as we loved Of old.
My heart is light, my step is strong;
For love brings back those hours of gold,
In summer, when the days are long,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
The Game of Marbles.

| have often wondered how that fa-
yorite game Of the small boy, marbles.
came into vogue, but never found out
until recent visit to Birmingham,
where / came across an cid antiquary
who enlightened mo. He said that Il
century ago it was popular amuse-
ment with staid and professional men,
who used to assemble in the marble
"alleys" or alcovcs connected with tho
inns of the town, to pass an hour OF
two in this amusement. Think of it.,
boys Gray old men, genuine grand
fathers, would hang their cooked hats
on oakcn pegs, and taking from pri-
vate hooks their own particular knee
caps of stoutly-lincd leather go plump
upon their knees ard deep in the de-
lights of "allcy toss" and common
eys' and familiar cry of "knuckel
down." A few of these alcoves are
still in existence in connection with
ancient hostelries. Cincinnati En-.
Quirer,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07

"iYhere are you going, Ernest?" she
asked him as he rose between the acts
at the theatcr, one evening last week.
IIe:"I promised to meet Simpson
when tho curtain fell" She Cant
you bring me glass of Simpson, too,
darling?' Ernest coughs and tries to
smile then sits down again, and looks
Disseminated for the rest of the even,
Ing,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07

in boK with rcctons The price pay for one
name. Price hv mail, 81.
We will send to every one ordering the printing
ofhce Of US, The Journal Of Science, an illustrated
popular monthly, printed on fine paper, OSH YrAR
fRnsoH ChhRoE Sample copy With premium list
Randolph st, chlcago lh'
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07

In nineteen private galleries Of New
Gork arc pictures worth s6,O00,0Qo.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
A PRINTING OFFICE FOR one DOLLAR

/ SOLID RUB
De r FAMILY
EOEr for marx.
ing Linen, Cards,
Books, &c. Gem.
bines the convent
cncc OF metalt type,
with the iiexibility,
durability and ele-
gancc Of the rubber
stamp. For One
Dollar you get
everything shown
In the cut, with l25
to $50 letters, Ink,
lIfnIInr Pal Twpe.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
Rutland Business Cards.
BERWICK HOTEL,
) r RICHARDSON, Prowr,

huIbAND VERNON
Heated Throughout by Steam,
Good Sample Rooms, Billiard Room AMI
Livery Stable connected with the Hotel.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-05-07
)DSTOCK, W.T., WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1884.

book .o church and nurse her poodle.
Most elderly ladies have some mono
mania or other. I will discover hers
and feed it. You will hardly know
me if you should see me at her side, 50
full of humanity and decorum shall /
La
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
Dlarney.

By "%blarnsy'' is usually understood
fluent power Of persuasion--the faculty
to '.talk over'' a person to ones own
way of thinking by good words, often
containing more fiattery than truth.
An apt illustration of it is related by
On old Western lawyer, as a Joke on
himself. in some "reminiscences of his
early practice. The incident would
make a curious appendix to s'Betsy and
L are Out" bringing laughter in tho
place of tears. The narrator says:
l was sitting in my Office one day
when in stepped an Irishman whom I
will call John Wood. of Union County,
and told me he had been recommended
to me for sound counsel in an import
ant case. He had arrived in America
directly from Cork, Ireland. only a few
years before, bringing with him his
wife and several children as far as
Hamilton County. o., where by pure
somehow got separated, and had not
lived together since, and his business
with me was to employ me to file a bill
for a divorce in the Union Circuit
Court. The fee was twenty dollars,
which he agreed to pay, and left.
l Immediately filed the bill, and had
the notice published in the paper for
the NEXT term. The old woman acct
dentally saw the advertisement, and
thereby found out for the first time
where the old man had stopped after
he had left her, and came directly oyer
to the old mans residence. The whole
matter Was soon reconoiled between
I! them.
Soon after this settlement, the old
man called at my office in fine humor.
"Misther Smith, the ould woman an
meself av' made up!"
"lndeed! Well, I am very glad of
it. You are both too old to separate"
81 know you're glad; you're 81 good
man; l jist came over to see what yell
charge a poor man like meself that's
jist made up with the 'ould woman"
81 charge you twenty dollars, Mr..
Wood"
"Ah. sure, Nh. Smith, yell not charge
a poor body twinty dollars. The min
ute Handed at New York I heard OF
you, Misther Smith. that We was a
kind hearted man, and a distinguished
sergeant in the law, as We IRE. Misther
Smith"
81 charge you only ten dollars, MI.
Wood"
"surely, Misther Smith. yell not
charge u poor body tin dollars for a
little matther like this. Misther Smith,
I've been acquainted with all the great
barristers of Ireland-with the Ponson-
bys. the Fmmets, the Grattans. the
Currans an the Burkes-but there's not
one Of thin that S yer aqual, Misther
Smith-you are so ~approachable in
coort, and can take such grand dis
tinct;ons in the law, Misther Smith,
81 charge you nothing. Mr.. Wood
"Ah, you are a gintlemanly mar,
Misther Smith. Sure. an you will paS
the printer.-TouM's COMPANION.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
WHY Rest is Essential.

Nature, while she specially built
the human form habituallv erect, has
specially decrced that men and women
should occasionally rest themselves by
assuming %sedentary position. Almost
every medical authority on the de-
tormities of the human body has drawn
attention to the fact that standing too
lone opera es in Il vicious direction
which, by elonyating certain muscles,
weakens them: that from the necessity
Of changing position in order to rest
the muscles it occurs that when people
are standing they alternately balance
themselves first on one leg and then on
the other, but most frequently on the
left: and that q girl with 4 weak splne'
otter standing upright for some time,
generally does not keep her teet l me
Same line, but. pla ez one INC
other. Curvature of the spine albelt
Temporary. is the result. The habIt OF
standing on one ieg-a habit Almost
unavoidable in standing too long17in-
duces The shoulders to lose their ho1l-
Zontal level. The one oppos te 10 me
n]roiecting hip becomes hlgh her than the
other; and the spne becomes oe1oihleu
latera'}y at this lart: 10 s; ee' d;ow vruie 1T
~ elty..-Lon4on IclearapA
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
Attractive Homes.

In the rage for the esthetic in archi-
tie :ture, the Importance of the home
clement is often entirely overlooked.
A house may realize the most exact re-
quirements of art, and be in per e It &C
architecture, and yet be as lacking in
the home feeling as a barn. There are
parlocs that are ornately furnished and
filled with costly bric-a.brac, which are
only meant to be looked at. Occasion
ally they are opened for a reception,
and the entertainmenr is formal and
frigid, because of the fear that the fur
niture may be damaged. A house is a
place where all that is provided is in
tended to be utilized. If this can be
done Familiarity and comfortably, one
clement, at least, in the house life is
provided. And art and adornment do
not need to destroy this feeling. Art is
meant to give pleasure. and adorn-
ment should minister to comfort.
Where this is done, all the art that can
be brought to bear is properly utilized
and has it's value.
A fine painting or picture, for exam
pie, is q source of satisfaction and COM
fort for years A real work of art
never pals on the taste, and fills our
ideals for years. 1t is a source of
perennial joy, and attracts to the house.
SO the home life does much to make it
a place of attraction. Each house, in
order to be attractive, must have some
special magnet. In some cases it is a
loving. patient wife and mother. whose
gentle art soothes away care and Gre
a:cs 81 longing on the part OF the family
for home. In others it is a husband
and father, who possesses the happy
ar of entertaining and instructing, un-
til all associated with him are filled
with his kindly spirit. In all suck
eases, where congeniality abounds, we
have the essentials of happy homes.
And with or without arts these are at
tractiye call.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
Pruning Orchard Trees.

There are numerous opinions about
pruning trees, and each one offering
them believes himself right in the
matter. Some prune in cold weather,
some do not; some prune little. others
much; some follow n method, others
another, until the mind of the novice
or amateur in fruit growing is quite at
a loss to know what to do and when to
do it, The theory is held that wounds
made on trees will not heal during cold
weather, hence trees should not then be
pruned; but practical orchardists GEN
orally heed theories but little Ind prune
'wAen the knife is sharp" Uuring
the mild weather of late winter and
early spring is a good time for this
business, and, coming at the season OF
the year when there is but little to do
on the farm. the farmer improves this
opportunity.
In the first place, prune intelligently.
Let no raw hand, no ''hired man, IN
less he be an exceptional one, prune
trees which are at all valuable. He
will do better to stay away. Young
trees should be trimmed with q view Of
diverting the sap from the terminal
branches to the weaker side-buds, in
order to induce a more stocky growth,
a well-proport:oned, symmetrical form.
The main stem of the young tree is
cut off at q height Of from four to SIX
feet from the ground, as may be de-
sired, and, just at the point Of cutting,
three equally diverging buds are
allowed to grow; and only these. The
next year these three shoots should be
cut back about one-half, and two buds
be left at the terminus of each branch
or twig, which diverye sidewise. thus,
gradually, the young trees may 10
made to take well-proportioned form,
and result in graceful, and what is
better, fruitful ones.
Old trees, unIrimmed and left to q
wild scragggy growth, are pretty sure
evidence OF carelessness and unthriiti-
ness on the part OF their owners. The
condition Of the orchard is 3 pretty
sure index Of the condition Of other
things on the farm and of the methods
of farming in general. Trim out all
the dead branches first, and the scraygy
growth within the tree; but it will not
do to cut out all the crooked-growing
branches the first year. Let this be
done gradually, removing, each year
those which crowdand grow ill-shaped,
until the desired shape is attained.
We visited an orchard last fall which
illustrated the perfection of trimming
OF pruning. There were fifty fine Bald
win trees, heavily laden with choice
fruit, and last year this was q rarity.
Standing beneath q tree. neal the body,
scarcely any fruit was visible; but step
ping outside, it could be seen in erich
profusion." fairly bending the lower
limbs to the ground. Thus, the sun
could ripen all alike, and the fruit was
easily accessible by ladder. The tree
had the appearance OF a vast umbrella
out-spread, and within not a twig or
unproductive branch could be seen. AS
q result Of this proper training (and we
must add, manuring) the apple-arop
from fifty trees brought $500, unpicked,
large and small. W. Darrow, IN N.
\. Independent.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
English Business Usances.

The more highly paid class of SER
wants, such as managers, cashiers,
clerks above the grade OF copyists, etc,
are generally engaged for an indefinite
term, subject to three months notice.
Such an enga ement as this, although
it may possibly continue for several
it NAV be dissolved within the year;
and it is only when a contract which
is entire and indivlsible can not be fully
performed within that time, that writ,
ing is necessary. 1t is. however, de-
sirable THAT the term. of the en- cage.
ment should be in writing, for the sake
of certainty and to avoid misunder-
standing. Copying clerks, journey
men, and persons occupying positions
of a similar kind, are usually subject
to one months notice. In all cases,
the obligation as to notice is recipro-
cal, and equally binding on both par
ties, mutually beng essential to
the agreement. There is, however,
one distinction which has a
substantial reason for its ex-
i%stence; a master may pay his clerk or
manager three months salary, or his
%iourneyman or copying clerk n
months salary, and dismiss him I'M
mediately; but the servant must give
the proper notice, and not throw
up his engagement by sacrificing sal
arv in lieu Of notice. The reason for
this is obvious; if a clerk gets his sal
airy without working for it, instead OF
working out his notise. he is not in any
way in jured, but may be benefited by
prompt dismissal; for he may obta n an
engagement elsewhere before the time
| when the notice would have expired.
SUIT it would be difficult to estimate the
loss which might be sustained by a
master in consequence of the sudden
withdrawal OF a confidential clerk or
manager. For any breach of contract
an action Of damages will lie at the in
stance Of either party, and the measure
of damages will be the probable loss
to the servant bafore he can find a new
| situation, or to the master before he
can find a new servant.-LhanaOers'
Journal.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1884-10-17
New Needlework.
,,hs artistic works of the Japane,e.

The artistic works of the Japanese.
!. Of late made familiar to us bv
OIL. of exhibitions and the like.
lnt ,oo on account of their novelty and
SAa'e1ljarity an especial attraction for
spectator. For instance. the
l 1Sn,nese applique embroidery shows
me highest completion, and now that
!; !"f has become marketable its sphere
u ,se for various purposes is consid-
u.,hlv enlarged. Used with other
Embroidery or paintings this applique
e. 1axcellent for decorative purposes.
.,ch as ornamenting fire and wall
s,reens, cushions, borders. Wonder
s',i lowers, birds and insects in oaz.
Limo, we'll shaded colors. sometimes a
im,ithiul, copy of nature, otherwise
most %fantastical. form a charming
Combination. The separate pieces Of
ombroidery are worked over card
hoard and secured on squares. We
select one of the smaller ones, with
ali sorts of animals on it, for our
illustration. A piece of silk laid over
i and an original cover of stuff like
naper. the well-known style Of which
Nth its Japanese colors, is quite a
study, protects the embroidery from
thc air and dust. These squares NAV
now be purchased in large shops. 1t
has now become so general to have
ia lie linen with a colored border.
that, especially for company. n can
scarcely imagine a handsomely ar
ranged table without this agreeable
ornament.
Although the interviewer red and
blue borders suffice for daily use, we
see for grand occasions table cloths
and napkins adorned with the most
artistic needlework, which, since all
possible tones have been produced in
fa%st-colored cotton, often display a
most v%nriegated arrangement. In
houses where the plain white linen
from the grandmother's stories is still
in use, modern taste is brought to bear
in the long. narrow crumb cloths lad
over the large table cloth. But some
times the careful housewife likes to
have the ornamental border on the tea
and coffee cloth and napkins produced
by her W industry.
The embroidery is done with fast
colored blue cotton in tambour stitch.
The cloth has a hemstitched border
about n and one-half inches broad;
this is followed by a narrow row of en-
broidcry rather moro than an inch
deep, then comes a space, and after
that another row of embroidery SIN
inches broad. Both these border rows
are executed in renaissance style. The
shields in the four corners OF the cloth
are intended to be alternately filled up
with the date and the owners initials.
The napkins have the same narrow
border, but only the shields in two OPP
posite corners. The Season.