davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18

Popular customs are long-lived.
Usages whose origin is hid in thu
mists Of antiquity, and whose primk
tive meaning has long been lost, are
still practised by force of habit among
the populations of Europe and Ameri
ca Many of these popular customs
have been carried from the far east to
the far west by that irresistible west
ward drift of the peoples which has
now been going on for thousands Of
years. Mr.. G. Lansing, of Alexan-
dria, Egypt, contributes to the last
number of the HeJrem Student an
oriental explanation of the occidental
custom of throwing the slipper after
a newly married couple. Mr.. Lansing
writes that the custom of throwing a
slipper at another, or striking him
with it, is still practised in the east as
sign of remuneration. A father, for
instance, who would renounce his son
after he has been convicted of being
a wicked son, will, before witnesses,
take off his shoe, and, if near enough,
strike him with it, or, if more distant,
throw it at him. Recently we have
had three cases of Moslem converts to
christianity, whose relatives and CO.
religionists have, in thil manner, sig
nifed their remuneration and cutting
off of all relations with with the per-
verts from their fate. The oriental
shoe being usually soft slipper, is
not thrown as a missile, or weapon, for
the purpose of causing bodily pain =.
This explains the throwing of slip
per after the bride as she leaves her
fathers house. 1t is saying to her in
a playful way: BE off with you. We
renounce you, and will have nothing
more to do with you" Mr.. Lansing
explains in the same way the taking
of the shoe from the foot in the case Of
the kinsman who renounced his claim
to the inheritance of Ellme]ich Ruth
iv., s., the loosing Of the shoe being
merely legal formula of remuneration.
which drew its meaning from popular
lore. The modern Arabs, instead OF
throwing the SHOE, sometimes use the
expression, "My shoe at you, in token
contemptuous renunciation.-Sundoy
School Times
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
V-NO 49, WOODSTOCK, VT, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 49, 1885

his end approached, perceivlng the in.
dignity of these actions, he screwed
himself round to face US, and, half
raising his massive head, glared at us
with undying ferocity for a momen''
and then gave forth such final roar
as hope never to hear again. Crag
and precipice shook with it all around
1t set the elephants trumpeting in the
forest, and drove sleep for the night
from the eyes Of the black monkeys,
While the savage cry still sounded L
fired the coup de grace into his brain
and the strong neck of the jungle mon
arch bowed; death fell like cloud
upon the green glitter of his eyes, and
limp and harmless, as the broken
bushes around him, the terror of the
forest and the plunderer of the shep-
herds herds lay still We were safe
enough after that second. but the ski
hari was vexed with the rashness
shown in descending the tree, "Never
90 down from machan to kill tiger,
sahib,' he said, unconsciously Irish
"until you are pretty sure that he is
dead"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
What Is Tin Ware!

1t does not appear to be generally
known that the article so commonly
used for household utensils, for cans,
for roofing, ETC., called 'tin," really
contains very little tin, seldom more
than one part in forty or fifty. Tin
pure tin--is silvery white metal
and is the lightest and easiest melted
of all the metals in common use; it
being only about five-eighths as heavy
as lead, and requires only about two.
thirds the heat to melt it. Pure tin is
called "block tin but it is rarely used
pure, the utensils, said to be made of
block tin being alloys with other
metals. Our common tin ware is
really tim plate-a thin sheet of iron.
coated with a film of tin. Plates OF
iron of the proper size and thickness
are secured with sand and acid until
perfectly clean, and then dipped
several times in melted tin; coating
of tin of variable thickness adheres to
the iron. The object of coating iron
with tin in this manner is to protect
the iron from rusting Tin when
exposed to air does not rust or even
tarnish, while iron readily does so, but
the thin coating of tin completely
protects it.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
Marriage.

One man can be a painter, another
an author; but only the conceited fool
thinks he can be everything. We are
obliged to unite with others in order to
fully develop our Individuality
Among the many differences in hui
man nature the most obvious is that
of sex. There are certain things in
which man is deficient and women eX-
eel, and vice versa. Man is strong
and woman weak. He is fitted for
muscular effort and continuous activi-
ty, and he should take the lead in
gaining the means of support, while
she supplements his efforts by wisely
administering the household affairs.
Man is brave, that is, he can overcome
obstacles; woman is fair. None but
the brave deserves the fair" and none
but the fair deserve the brave The
relation is knighthood and laly-hood.
The woman who possesses neither
beauty of form and feature nor beauty
of character, is unsexed. Man is self
affirming, woman is self-lenying. He
must enter into the struggle against
competitors, while she, standing apart
from this can cultivate sympathy and
tenderness. She is made stronger by
contact with him, while he is sOftened
by her influence. We Judge him by
what he does and her by what she is
her smiles, her movements, her
ways. Customs and usuages have
their lirmest support in her; she is
the guardian OF religion. The holiest
relation which man has evolved is the
home. The husband and wife should
grow together, sharing prosperity, joy
and sorrow. They should be intellect
ual companions. Only of late has it
been admitted that woman has intellect
and is not merely a creature of senti-
ment. The real fact is that mans inte-
lect is fitted for generalization, womans
for specialization. Between these two
poles lie all art, science and morality.
Egoism or altruism is not the true
basis of life, but to live for the unity,
for the highest development of the
other and of self. .-ProfeSsor Felir
A1Ier
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
The Consumption of Chocolate.

In 1879, $4,000 bags of cocoa beans
were imported into this country. Last
year the number reached $4,000. The
use of chocolate in confectionery is
very extensive, and as beverage it is
gaining on tea and coffee. We made
last year 100000 pounds, and use a
ton of sugar day. The best cocoa
beans me from Venezuela and Mexi-
co, the cheapest from San Domingo,
Only The finest sugars, mostly Havanas,
can be used, as they must be ground,
Most of the machinery is imported,
though we have in use many improve
ments on the French models. The
present tariff dscriminates against
American chocolates by taxing sugar :
cents pound, and while foreign
chocolates are admitted with only 2
cents pound duty we have to pay ID
cents to enter French markets, ,-Nea
York Tribune,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18

The following incident, from Span
ish history, is given in the Cotta9er
and artisan:
Towards the close Of the tenth
century a prince, of the name OF Al
kaham, was reigning over one of the
richest provinces Of Spain. The min
eral wealth of the province-its gold,
silver, copper, iron, and quicksilver;
its silk and woolen manufactures,
which were sold at enormous profits
in the ports Of the Mediterranean, as
we'll as its natural productions, created
arevenue which far surpassed that OF
any other country of Europe.
The royal city Cordova - was
probably the most magnificent of the
time, from the wealth Of its citizens
and the beauty of its buildings. We
are told it contained six hundred
mosques and nine hundred baths. 1t
was the centre of learning and genius.
of music, art, and science, while
university and immense library,
founded by this Caliph, added to its
renown. The palace, threelmiles from
the city, almost surpasses belief in the
splendor and richness Of its architec-
ture and adornment.
Adjoining the grounds of the palace
was small plot of ground belonging
to widow. Alkaham, desirous OF
extending his gardens, wished to OBJ
tain this land, and offered for it sum
of money, But the spot had become
so endeared to her as the birthplace
and possession of past generations OF
her house, that she refused the offer.
Again and again did the Caliph renew
his proposal, but in vain.
At length the head gardener seized
by force what his master had failed to
obtain by treaty, In an agony of de-
spair, the woman fled to the city, and
sought out the chief Cadi -Ibi Bekir
before whom she laid her case The
Cali Immediately mounted his ass,
and, taking with him sack Of un-
usual size, set out for the palace. He
found the Caliph seated in magnifi-
cent pavilion upon the very ground in
question. He requested humbly to be
allowed to fill his sack with portion
of the earth upon which their feet
rested. Although surprised at the
strange request, the Callph graclously
granted it. His astonishment was in
creased by the Cadi requesting him
further to assist in lifting the burden
upon the ass. He agreed, however,
but in putting his shoulder to it COM
planned of the weight of the burden.
"That sack" said the Cadi, (Which
you find so heavy, contains but asmall
portion of the land you have unjustly
taken from poor widow; how, then,
will you be able to bear the weight of
the whole field at the day Of judg-
ment?'
Instead of being incensed, the Caliph
generously acknowledged the justice
of the rehuke, and ordered the land to
be restored to its proprietor, along
with everything he had caused to be
erected thereon.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
CHILDREN'S COLUMN.
The yIouses' Blanket.

One day Willle's mamma missed a
bank.note which she was very certain
she had put in particular place.
Thinking that Willie might have taken
IL for a plaything, not knowing It's
yalu', she asked him If he had seen it,
But Willie knew nothing about 1t.
neither did the nurse, nor anybody in
the house.
By.and-bye papa came home He
pointed TO a mouse hole in the nursery
floor, and said the mice must have
stolen It'll A carpenter came and took
up the floor, and, sure enough, there
was a nest of little mice all cuddled
down on the bank note, which Mother
Mouse had spread out as lining for
the ties.. Other pieces Of paper were
found, ali torn and nibbled, but this
being nice and soft had been saved Tor
a blanket by the wise old mother
CongregatiOnaliSt.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
His Small Crop.

Good morning, Murphy. Are those
your children?'
"Yis, sor; that is my small potato
crop, sor."
"Why do you say that?"
because, sor, they are all little
Murphies.'
Then the boss set up the candy to
the gossoons, Georgia Cracker,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
An Application that Was Refused.

A Washington correspondent to the
Philadelphia Record tells the follow
ing: | think | have a new Lincoln
Stanton story. At least the congress
man who told it spoke as though he
had just discovered the document
which is its basis. 1t was an applica-
tion for chaplaincy in the army, with
a series of endorsements by Lincoln
and Stanton on its back which ran
over the available space on the appli-
cation and down on slip of paper
which had been added to receive them.
These were the endorsements. each
being dated: "Dear Stanton: Appoint
this man a chaplain in the army. a
Lincoln" Dear Mr.. Lincoln. He is
not a preacher. Z. NJ. Stanton"
Three or four months elapse, evident
", and then we have: "Dear Stanton:
He is now. A. Lincoln" "Dear Mr..
Lincoln: But there is no vacancy. E.
M. Stanton "Dear Star ton: Appoint
him a chaplain-at,large A. Lincoln.
"Dear Mr.. Lincoln: There is no war
rant of law for that. L. NJ. Stanton
"Dear Stanton; Appoint him anyhow.
A. Lincoln" "Dear Mr.. Lincoln:
will not. E. NJ. Stanton" And he
didn't. But apparently he told the
applicant that he could leave his appli-
cation on file, for there it is among the
dry old documents.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-02-18
IntrospectiOn.

'Tis waning summer Of the year,
Tho sky bends smiling DER the land;
In bloom we sec in song we hear,
Earth's praises Of her Makers hand.
'Tiswaning summer Of my days;
Gods smile ha, ever DER me hung;
Have |, like Earth, adorned my ways
With bloom, Or of His bounty sungl
Emma Carleton, IN The Current.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
At Shiloh.

General Beaureguard was next in
rank to Johnston. and succeeded to the
command, which he retained to the
close of the battle and during the subse-
quent retreat on Corinth, as well as in
the siege of that place. His tactics
have been severely criticised by Federal
writer's, but do not believe his fallen
chief could have done any better under
the circumstances. Some of these crit.
les claim that Shiloh was won when
Johnston fell, and that if he had not
fallen the army under me would have
been annihlated or captured It's de-
featcd the Confelerates at Shiloh.
There is little doubt that we should
have been disgraccfully beaten if all
the shells and bullets fired by us had
passed harmlessly over the enemy. and
il all their shell had taken effect. Com
manding Generals are liable to be
killed during engagements, and the
fact that, when he was shot, Johnston
was leading a brigade TO induce it to
make charge which had been repeat
edly ordered, is evidence that there
were neither the universal demoraliza-
ton among the Federals nor the un-
bounded confidence of success with the
Confederates that was claimed. There
was, in fact, no hour during the day
when doubted the eventual defeat of
the enemy, though was disappointed
that the re-inforcements so near at hand
did not arrive at an earlier hour. Cen
erat Grants Personal Memoirs.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
a HITCH IN THE HlTCHiNG.

A Skating Rink Dude Captures the Afiec'
tions ofa Hartford Belle Plans and Car
ries ont an Eiopement, But is Foiied at
the IIitchmg Post
HARTFORD, CoNN., July l3.-Last fall
young man came to this city and took
up his residence with a well-known pro-
fessor of music. He was apparently
about nineteen years of age, and dressed
in the latest dude fashion. A short time
after bis arrival he obtained work at the
Armory Skating Academy as an instructor
in skating, 1t was soon learned that he
had resided in Maiden, Mass, before
coming here. He was attentive to
all the young ladies, and easily made
acquaintauces. One of the bellies
of the city was frequent visitor to the
rink. lie soon became a frequent visitor
to her house, and her father, who is very
wealthy, having retired so me time ago
from active business, made inquiries as
to the character of the young man. His
research did not satisfy him that he
was eligible "a sou-in-law, and the
parents forbade him the house. Then
the young people met clandestinely, and
the outcome of the matter was an ar
rangement for an elepoment.
The Young lady went on a visit TO
some friends In the central part of Massa-
chusetts, but before she left it was ar
ranged that she should 90 to Boston at a
certain time and he would follow her.
This arrangement was carried out, and
the couple met as per arrangement
On July "a marriage license was
procured, and the ceremony was to be
performed on the morning OF the 4th. On
the Sd, however, the young lady heard
stories in relation to her lover that set
her to thinking.
Meanwhile parties In Boston had writ
ten to her parents rs to what was going
on, and on Wcdreadav her mother left
here for Boston. When she saw her
mother the young lady confessed every
thing and consented to return home. The
mother and daughter arrived here last
evening.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
SAD CALAMITY.
A Pleasure Party often Persons Drowned
in Lake Minnetonka-The Victims.

A Pleasure Party of Ten Persons Drowned
in Lake Mnnetonka-The Victims.
MINNEToNKA, MINI, July l3.-The
steam yacht or launch, Minnie Cook, one
OF the numerous pleasure boats which
dotted Lake MlnuetQnka yesterday, was
struck by storm late yesterday after.
noon and went to the bottom with all on
board.
Following is a list of the devoted oc'
cupants of the Inflated craft.
Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Rand.
Mr.. and Mrs. John X. Coykendqll and
their daughter, Katie Coykendall, be.
tween four and five years old
Miss Mary Rand, aged sixteen.
Harvey Rand, aged thirteen.
Frank Rand, the son of Mr.. and Mrs
A. b. Rand.
Robert Hersey, son of ~ b. Hersey,
OF Minneapolis, friend OF Flank Rand.
George Mcdonald, engineer of boat.
Later in the evening the position OF the
sunken boat was located by Captain
Brooks 1t is Just off Breezy Point, on a
line between Spirit Island aud the cot
tage of Mr.. Eale, at Map'ewood. The
search for the bodies was given up dur.
ing the night, as, on account of the
darkness and general confusion, 1t was
impossible to work with any advantage.
The dragging # the lake will, however,
commence vigorously this morning.
There were many sailboats on the lake al
the time and there are fears that the list
OF casualties will be increased.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
a NEW WRINKLE.
The Law for special Postal Deliveries to
be Tested in the Fali-The New Special
stamp for the Purpose.

The Law for special Postal Deliveries to
be Tested in the Fali-The New Special
stamp for the Purpose.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. July l2.-lt has
been stated that the Postal Department
will make trial of the special delivery
of letters by messenger boys In New
York and Philadelphia before undertak-
ing to extend the plan TO other cities, but
the statement was not authorized by the
Postal Department. 1t Is true that the
Department does not intend TO introduce
the new plan of delivery in all the au-
thorized Offices until there has been sat
isfactory test of its feasibility on small
er scale. 1t 10 realized that there is at
least a chance that it may prove imprac-
tcable or more expensive than an aver
age postage OF ten cents will meet, so 1t
is thought prudent to give it trial in
few of the large cities Of the country be-
fore its general introduction is Or
dered This is about all that has
been decided by the Postmaster
General, but General Hazen, the third
assistant, thinks the plan viii be tried
simultaneously in New York, Boston,
Philadelphia, Chicago, st. Louis, Gin
cinnati and possibly few more of the
great cities of the country. When the
trial will begin can not be learned at the
Department. because the date has not
yet been fixed. 1t is not thought at all
likely that it will be before the first OF
September and there are some reasons
why it may not be before the first OF Oc-
tober, as the advantage oil opening new
accounts at the beginning OF new quar-
ter may incline General Villas to delay
beginning even after all the preparations
are complete.
A design for the special ten cent s'amp
to be used for this delivery was approved
by the Postmaster-General on Friday
and has gone TO the American Bank
Note Company VINO have the stamp
printing contract. The stamp will be
about twice the size of the ordinary
postage stamp and the shape of dol
lar bill. On the left of the stamp there
is pretty viguette of a messenger boy
in uniform. Across the top are the
words Omitted States special postage
delivery" and along the bottom the
price OF the stamp, ten cents, is ex-
pressed in figures and letters. Con
spicuous on the body of the stamp are
the words "secures immediate delivery
at special delivery office" The whole
design is very pretty and effective.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
American As She Is Spoke.

An intelligent young Mexican. who
had received thorough education from
a private tutor, recently made his first
visit to the United States. While in In
dianapolis few evenings ago he ex-
pressed an embarrassment at having to
engage in conversation with young peo-
pie in the States, owing to the use OF
slang words and phrazes which he did
not understand. His first day Of travel
this side Of the Rio Grande gave him
loretaste of what he was 10 encounter.
The conductor OF the sleeping car was
annoyed by capricious lady passen-
ger, who eXacted unreasonably numcr-
Gus attentions and talked more than was
pleasant to hear. The conductor, TAX
ing a seat by the Mexican, volunteered
the criticism that the woman was too
Flip"
What do you mean by saying she is
too llipp asked the Mexican.
"Why, / mean she is too fy,' '" the
conductor answered
Flip fly, what do they meanP"
why, don't you knowp Well, she's
too freshv
81 do not yet understand" confessed
the Mexican. The conductor belaborsd
his brain for a moment, and then, with
a relieved expression, said:
Il mean that she is too soon.' -
Indianapolis Sentinel.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
LATE NEWS ITEMS.

RoBEnr WILSON had his head cut off on
the 1lth while he was trying to crawl under
train at Cambridge, Ohio.
SUPERINTENDENT HAMILTON of the ma.
rine hospital service has received tele
gram from New Orleans stating that there
is no yellow fever in that city.
Col. JOHN W. FOSTER, who represents
this government in Spain, has failed to ne
gotiatea a second commercial treaty between
hat country and the United States.
IMMENSE clouds of grasshoppers Of the
Kansas variety, have appeared in the State
Of Coahuala, Mexico, flying westward.
The natives are greatly alarmed and fear
10 famine.
A BATTLE was fought between Indians
and cowboys on a New Mexican ranch on
the 1lth. Sixty Indians and sixteen cow
boys are reported killed.
HARRIS TRusrALL, colored, was taken
from Jail at oxford, Miss, on the 18th, and
lynched. He was charged with heinous
crime.
| LIEUT.. COMMANDER w. II. WEST, connect.
ed with the Alert on the static station.
has been tried by court-martial on the
lcharge OF drunkenness and found guilty.
OY May 80 the men-of.war in the harbor
at Negastaki half-masted their colors for
the death OF the mother-inlaw OF the Em-
peror OF Japan.
INSPECTOR ARMSTRONG telegraphs from
tho Indian Territory that all differences
A Al -.
teen settled, and that cattle from Texas
are now moving northward without OBJ
struction.
JAS. q. WiNrERsMlrH, door-keeper OF the
National House Of Representatives, died al
Louisville on the 18th. His brother, John
Wintersmith, is dangerously i'll at Louis
vile.
THERE were reported throughout Spain
on the lith l,032 new cases Of cholera and
413 deaths from the disease.
FIVE murderers made their escape from
the Jail al Asheville, n. c., on the 18th, by
overpowering the jailer and locking him
In cell. All the prisoners had pistols, and
a number Of shots were fired.
SECRETARY BAYARp returned TO Wash.
ington on the lith, Mrs. Bayard's condition
having improved.
TUE ground cotton worm has appeared
in Madison Parish, La.
THE tenth death from lockjaw occurred at
Chicago on the l4th, as result OF firing OF
toy pistols on the Fourth Of July.
ENocH Cook and James Pruit, Of Louis.
vile, quarreled on the lith about a dog.
Cook knocked Pruit down and kicked him
under the ear, breaking his neck and killing
him instantly.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
The New Cruisers.

WAsHINGToS, ID. c., July l2.-Secre-
tary Whitney is disposed to proceed with
great caution in the adoption of addi-
presentation of the plans will expire on
the 18th. It is not probable that the de-
partment will receive much assistance in
the way of suggestions from the outside
The Secretary intends TO organize a
board of officers to consider aud recon-
mend what plans shall be adopted. Two
or three members of the board will
doubtless be sent abroad to gather in
formation.
The Osceola times., 1885-07-18
What Killed Mrs. GrobpIewski.

NEW YoRK, July ~. - Mrs. Clara
Grobelewski, twenty-four years old, the
wife Of Jos. Grobelewski, a lager beer
saloon-keeper died on Friday morning
Mt Brooklyn. Some OF her friends having
informed Coroner Menninger that they
suspected that she had been poisoned,
the funeral arrangements were stopped
and an autopsy will be made. The won.
an married Grobelewski in April, four
mon his after the death of his first wife,
and although in the best of health before
her marriage, had been ailing continually
up TO the time of her death. 1t was not
until last Sunday that she became so III
that she had TO take TO her bed.