davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
PRICE THREE CENTS.
Ferrets as Rat Catchers.

During the past few years an enter
prising business has been successfully
carried on in New York City of which
the general public know little. The
nature of the business is made appar-
ent by the sign which swings in front
of the principal store in downtown
street: "Houses cleared of rats by
trained ferrets." Beneath the sign is
glass case in which two large ferrets
are exhibited. A Tribune reporter
stopped before the case the other day,
and while watching the antics of the
animals, one of the clerks of the estab-
lisment remarked: "It's a curious
thing to see how well you can train
dumb animals like these. Now take
jim here, as we call him, and put him
on the scent of rat and say the word
go and he'll have him in an instant.
But just say, guard him. and he'll
keep rat in the middle of a circle for
an hour by just running around him
and heading him off when he goes to
get away"
"Do you do much business in the
way of letting out ferrets?' was asked.
ayes, but not so much this season
of the year as later on. Most of the
rats, l guess. take a vacation in the
summer, as we never have so many
calls for ferrets as in the winter"
SIS it in the better classes of houses
that your services are usually required,
or in tenement houses9'
"Chiehy in the former, such as those
in Fifth-ave. and Forty second-st.
You see the proprietors of tenement
houses won't spend the money neces-
sary for ferret. They don't have to
suffer, and so don't pay much atten-
tion to the annoyance. But hotels
and high-class private houses rent
ferret as soon as they discover any
traces of these pests. We had a case
in Forty -second-st. last winter where
we kept two ferrets at work for three
days. At the end of that time guess
they had killed nearly two dozen rats.
The owner had been annoyed so that
he thought of moving to get rid of the
rats, but when we showed him the
pile of dead animals he was so tickled
that what must he do but buy one of
the ferrets and keep him as pet.
The other day had occasion to call at
his house and he showed me the same
ferret. lie had bought handsome
cage for him and fitted it up in elegant
style. A silk collar was fastened
around his neck with Pet embroidered
on it. To show me how well he had
trained him since the purchase he
called pet to his side and dropping
his pencil behind a large immovable
desk where it would be almost i'm
possible to get it again, he merely said,
get it, In an instant the ferret was
off, and soon back again with the pen
Gil. The gentleman said that he had
been of great service to him in that
way, and he recommended them to all
old ladies who are in the habit of los
ing thimbles and spectacles in out-of-
the-way corners and holes. ."-NeV
York TTib,ine.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
What They Weighed.

Johnny was tuggiDg away at a
sack of feathers trying to carry it up
stairs, but finally gave it up and sat
down to grunt awhile.
"Why, Johnny" inquired his moth.
er, "what's the matter?"
"This sacks so heavy I can't carry
it,"
Heavy? Fie, Johnny. feathers
don't weigh anything"
He looked at the sack a minute,
then at his mother, and plaintively
queried:
Don't hundred pounds of feath-
ers weigh hundred pounds, mammal"
--Merchant Traveller.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Doing the KOW.TOw.

The kow-tow ceremony, as witness
ed by reporter one day recently at
Chinese temple on Wayerly Place, will
bear description. The guardian of the
temple was just sounding barrel
shaped drum suspended from wood
en- framework. Having evoked few
dull, rolling sounds, he wakened the
echoes by pulling massive bronze
bell hanging underneath. Then talk
ing the sticks of incense, he placed
mat on the floor before each idol, on
which he knelt. first bowing down
with hands joined, and then raising
them above his head like the priest ell
evating the host at mass. He then
performed the kow-tow, which consist
of knocking the head against the floor
six times before minor idols and nine
times before major gods with great
Yapidity and violence. The Mongolian
devotee fullills his religious task with
no half hearted zeal, making the floor
vibrate again as he introduces his
head to it. The thought would natu-
rally occur that this would be rather
trying even to an -befogged
Chinese cerebrum; and passing near
the worshiper as he rose from his
task, it was noticed that he had on
the top of his head "a bungling protub-
erance as large as an average list-the
result of frequent and vigorous kow-
towing. This must have become per-
fectly callous, as in response to aquery
on parting the custodian remarked
that the frequent humping was the
cause of no pain or unpleasantness.-
San Francisco Chronicle.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Some Peculiar Effects of Sea Salt,

A correspondent on one of the
islands of the Gulf of Mexico writes:
The Cheniere, as well as Grand Isle,
was once a sugar plantation, but the
force of constant winds, blowing from
one point of the compass, has
several times caused the rollers to
sweep across it for many days, and
this. added positively to transpira-
tion water, after a time made the
saccharine juice more salt than sweet.
The residents are obliged to either use
the wood drifted in upon the waves
or bring it in luggers from a distance.
As the salt in the drift wood rusts
and destroys the cooking stoves there
are none in use on the island. But if
the meals are cooked upon an iron
frame in great, wide-mouthed fire.
place they lose none of their savori-
ness thereby.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
A Marine Band.

AS they passed the postoffice the
band played with extraordinary vigor.
Amid the sequence of explosions from
the horns and the clash and booming
of drums and cymbals it would have
taken musical expert to distinguish
the tune.
Why do they, call it the Marine
Band?" asked Pete Lathrop of his
friend Oliver.
D-d-do-n't KNOW" was the slut
tering reply; "unless it's b--b-b-be-
cause they're all at s-s-sea. a."-Lgs
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

A Siamese youth, Moang Thukada,
who has spent sufficient years in these
United States of America to get a
certain grip of our language and learn
to admire our little ways, has just
written book about us. Mr.. Thu
kada, whose heart generally is better
than his syntax, makes some remarks
on Philadelphia girls which they will
be justified in resenting, and which
can only be accounted for by the fact
of his being used to women whose
straight dark locks are plastered to
their heads with liberal quantity of
pomatum. He is evidently not au
tait to curls and crimped bangs. as he
says: "The ladies Of this city are
much peculiar. Their hair, for the
greater part, is blonde, but yet never
seems pretty and nice to look at; for
its locks are ever in disorder on the
forepart of the head, and in the rear
it takes shape what the natives call a
Langtry knot, and which is ugly"
Commenting on the foregoing, the
Philadelphia Call says: "We
venture to say that Mr.. Thu
kada will find no prettier girls in any
part of the world than he finds in
Philadelphia, and that if he does not
admire them it is because his taste
is not educated up to the point of
classical heads, Grecian knots, and
waving masses of blonde hair, any
more than our taste leads us to admire
the bias eyes of the Celestials, or the
half-opened eyes and straight locks of
the Siamese."
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Safe From Connubial cyclones,

"Do keep cyclone rit?" echoed
a passenger from the West; "yes, l
keep one not far from my house; but,
bless you, amt afraid OF cyclones.
The cyclone was never born that could
scare me or make me run"
But what have you got the cyclone
pit for?"
"Well. you see, my old woman has
spells o temper. when 'tain't safe for
a Geller to be around, 'speshully wash
days. On them occasions l find my
cyclone pit right smart handy Chi
cdgo Herald.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

Years ago the musical piping of
.wo tiny song birds at Skye Farm,
away up in New Hampshire hills, at.
.racted the attention of song lovers,
children of those who listened to the
Cary sisters. Elaine and Dora Good
ale were the poetic babies. Mis- Elaine
GoOdale, after practical experience as
teacher in the Hampton Institute
and as editor of the Indian depart
ment of the Southern Workman, goes
to Nebraska and Dakota to study the
social and educational needs of the
Indian.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Where the Mexican is Great.

In Mexico matches are tipped with
birthstone at both ends. This will settle
the annexation question in the mind
of any American citizen who ever had
to get up at 8 a. m. to look for the
paregoric bottle.-Somerp pille Journal.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Although French families are no
.oriously small, exceptional cases oc-
sur. Thus, In Royoy-Belleval there
ives couple. the man being seventy
;hree, the wife sixty-eight years of
ige, who have twenty-five living chill
lren. not to mention two who died
Three of the sons are in the army.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Costly.

Simpson (cutting a swell)-"What
do you think of my new suit? The
ladies' say it's just splendid. 1t cost me
ninety dollars
Jenks-"That isn't much. ] had Il
suit last summer that cost me seven
hundred dollars"
Simpson-"Go graciousl Why
what kind of a suit was it,"
,icnks--"A law suit" Gail.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

for all outlay and depreciation. The
men complain bitterly that the author
tiles of Whitechapel Market compel
them to keep their horses in the shafts
till their hay is sold-sometimes six
or eight hours-a piece of unnecessary
barbarity, especially in the winter,
when hay is chiefly sold.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

Lieut.. Danenhower of the United
States Navy has. according to the
Army and Nary Journal, prepared a
paper on polar explorations, to be read
and discussed at a meeting Of the
Naval Institute. For the general
public the most valuable of the con-
clusions which this officer reaches is
the following: "After having served
with one Arctic expedition, and having
devoted seven years to the study of
the subject, as well as to the watchful
observation of the numerous efforts
and the comparatively Insignificant
results attending sacrifices of human
life and of treasure, l unhesitatingly
record myself as opposed to further
exploration of the central polar basin
with our present resources. The grad
ual extension of observatory stations
in the interest of meteorology, magnet
ism, and other scientific branches
should be made, but national support
should not be given to another polar
expedition"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

A remarkable case of longevity is
reported by correspondent from the
village of Sheepshed, in Leicester
shire, England, where married cou-
pie Richard and Elizabeth Wortley---
have celebrated their diamond we'd
ding. The registry of the marriage in
the parish church is dated in July,
1915, when the news of the battle of
Waterloo was still ringing through
the country. Twenty years ago the
golden wedding of this couple was
celebrated, and they have now COM
pleted the extraordinary term of sew
enty years of married life.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

Carting hay TO the London market
Is a business by itsslf, and just now a
particularly bad one. The carts start
from Nazlng about 3 o'clock in the
afternoon. and. after resting two hours
at Waltham and two hours Ut Lon
don night house, men and horses reach
Whitechapel Market at a. IN. the fol-
lowing day. When a man sells his
hay he has to deliver it TO the buyer,
and, as he sometimes does not meet
with customer until p. m. he may
not get back to Nazing until the early
morning of the next day. For this
double journey, involving two nights
out of bed. the carter Tor his master,
If he has one) gets II shillings and
truss Of hay. and ont OF this he pays
all expenses. There is seldom loading
back, and, us ne cannot make more
than three journeys week. he has
exactly 81 shillings wherewith to keep
himself, family, and horse. and provide
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

During eight centuries" says a
correspondent of London Nature,
zones direct ancestors amount to far
greater number than would at first be
contemplated. Taking three genera
tions to century, one has father and
mother (2), grandparents (4), great
grandparents (9). AT the end of the
second century the number of ancest-
ors springsto 64. Following the cal
culation, you will find that at the end
of eight centuries one is descended
from no less than 5000, 900 ancestors.
Intermarriage, of course, would reduce
this estimate, and there is no doubt it
must have largely prevailed. But the
figures are 50 enormous that, in spite
of all, venture to suggest that the
words, All We are brethren. are liter
ally true"
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

There has just been admitted to the
military school at Weilburg, in Ger
many. youth with curious name
and a still more curious history. lie
is called Sedan Bohme. Young
Bohme is one Of very few who can
claim 10 have first seen the light on
the field of battle. Just after the
battle Of Sedan, in the Frsnco-Prus-
sian war, Il sutler belonging to the
German force gave birth to child,
and it was forthwith christened with
the name of the decisive struggle.
The Crown Prince acted as sponsor,
and Silesian battalion of chasseurs,
now stationed at GOrlitz, took the
infant under its especial protection
The son OF the regiment has con
tinued with his military protectors
until quite recently, receiving fre-
quent tokens of the interest taken in
him by the crown prince, and enjoy
ing the marked care and attention of
the battalion. 1t was naturally de-
cided that Sedan Bohme should fol
low the trade OF war. and So he has
just begun study in the Weilburg
school
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10
Che Londonderry Sitter.

TERMS.-lHE LONDONDERRY, W., SITTER
will be furnished to all subscribers, everywhere,
at tho extremely low price of One Dollar per
annum, invariably in advance. Outside OF
Windham Co.. in single wrappers, $l.l6 year,
ADVERTISING RATES.-Filty cents per
inch, first insertion, 20 cents or each addi-
tional iusei ton. Nothing inserted for less than
SO cents.
Additional information furnished upon nppli.
cation Births, Marriages and Deaths, pub
lishcd free. Obituary Notices, Cards If Thanks
ETC., so cents to $l00.
SITTER OFFICE, LONDONDERRY, VT.
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

Horses an, Garages Mt all hours. Persons
earrie,i 20 all surrounding points upon arrival
cf t;ains. Special accommoda ions TO excur-
sh,n Parties. Good teams and attentive dli-
sers. E
The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-09-10

s5"Entered at the Post-officc at Soutl
Londonderry, us Ccond-c ass matter.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-20

A fatal boiler explosion occurred at
North Mahanoy colliery about eleven
O'Clock Saturday night. There were l2
boilers in the house. Joseph Lloyd, fire.
man, and James Swank, helper, were both
killed.
The Glendower iron works at Danville
started up last week, employing $50 men,
who have been idle since last summer. The
property has been purchased by the Dam
vile furnace company, owned by Creve-
ling, Miles & Maris, of Danville Whitmer.
Of Sunbury, and Reynolds, Ct Wilkes
barre.
Auntie Wilmore, AS she was familiarly
called, or Nancy Cass Wilmore, as her real
name is said to have been, died in Will
mlngton, Del, last week, al the age of 116
years. She was undoubtedly the oldest
person in that state, il not in the United
States. Her early history was not clear to
her until on her death Led, when her whole
life seemed to pass in review before her,
and person who was present wrote down
her history as she related 1t.
Experiments made on the New York,
New Haven and Hartford Railroad have
demonstrated the possibility OF maintain
ing telegraphic communications with mov-
ing trains. The principle upon which it is
done is that of IA wire electrically charged,
which affects another wire similarly charg-
ed when brought in close proximity. The
plan is to lay wire between the tracks
and the moving train to carry another wire
below the car axles and within a foot or
less of the ground wire Whether the new
plan will come into general use is some
what doubtful on the score of economy, as
it will require an operator on each train in
addition to those already required at the
stations. The success of the experiment,
however, shows that there are practically
no limits to the possibilities OF the tele =
graphic invention.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-20
Court Proceed,nss.


Court was held on Saturday pursuant to
adjournment.
Marion Reichard VS.. Charles Reichard.
Judgment for the plaintiff by agreement
for the sum Of $159. 90.
Adam NJ. johnson, Obadiah Yocum and
j. ]. Campbell appointed viewers OF a road
In Franklin township near Andrew Lohr.
mans.
Sale ordered In the matter OF real estate
of Thomas Wampole, deceased.
Boyer vs.. Fetterman. Opinion of Court
filed.
Joseph Rouch vs. NJ. S. r. & l.. Associ.
ation Opinion Of Court fled
In re estate OF Jacob nj. Beishline. Pc.
titon for sale and opinion OF Court filed.
Estate of Joseph Snyder deceased. Pc.
tition filed.
Estate Jacob Gaumer deceased. Audi.
tors report confirmed nisi.
Petition for citation to ]. W. Conner
fled
Andrew Croll vs.. N. & W. b. Railway
Co. Petition for special jury filed.
Estate Of VIM. ]. keller deceased. Pc.
tition for the sale Of real estate and bond
fled
Augustus Bibby and wife w. c. s. Reit-
meyer and wife
Judgment against Charles S. Reitmeyer
one OF the defendants amount to be deter
mined by the Prothonotary with stay of
execution for three months.
An argument court will be held on Fri
day, March Goth, to commence at 0 o'clock.
In the matter OF sale of Beishine's, par
tial return made by the Sheriff and the
money, $451.02, paid into Court.
In re estate OF Nathaniel Greasy, n minor
child OF Nathan Greasy, deceased. On pc.
tition OF guardian private sale OF real es
tate ordered.
John p. Harmon and Christian Lefiler
appointed overseers of election for South
Conyngham township
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-20
Miniin.

|
We had our share of the storm on Mon.
day and wind on Tuesday. Our roads were
partly blockaded
Will. Hess and sister of Hughesvlllc Wis.
tied friends in town on Saturday.
The boys of Hellerville are trying to
start band.
Work in the coal mine was suspended on
Monday on account of the severe weather.
III the face is the index OF the mind az
has often been said then there must have
been great variety of valentines received
on Saturday.
Lizzie Yohe of Catawissa spent Sunday
with her parents at Heterville.
Another wedding in town next week. 1t
is rumored that two more are to take place
before the coming spring. Its good
thing Leap Year doesn't come oftencr.
Sam Heller has quit selling agricultural
implements and has hired to Thos. Rickert
and will sling hats next summer.
MIS-. G. w. Welsh, Misses Mira and Mi
randa Schweppenheiser and Annie Stcely
paid their Nescopeck relatives visit last
week.
Perhaps never in the history of the age
have hawkers and peddlers been as num-
erous in these parts as they have the past
three weeks.
1t is said Mr.. Underwood of st. Louis,
Missouri has the contract for carrying the
mail from Hetlervlle to Mfilinville.
Answer to puzzle in last issue, Christo-
rher Columbus.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-20
Public sales.

TJ. Vandersice will sell personal prop.
erty at his residence on Main Street,
Bloomsbury, on Friday, February 27tb, at
1 o'clock, p. m.
Daniel Miller will offer valuable personal
property, consisting of farming imple-
ments and household goods at public sale
on the premises in Main township, on Tues
day, March 10th, 1885 at 10 o'clock, a. m.
The administrators of Elias Krumm, de-
ceased, late of Scott township, will offer
valuable personal property at public sale,
on the premises, on Wednesday, Feb 25,
1886, at o'clock q. m.
The executors Of John Kelchner, deceas-
ed, late of Centre township, Columbia
county, Pa, will expose to public sale per-
sonal property at the late residence of said
deceased, on Tuesday, March II, 1885, at
10 o'clock, q. m.
William whitcnight will sell valuable
personal property on the premises in Fish
ingcreek township, on Tuesday, March B..
Horses, cows, hogs, &c.
A. 2. Schoch, executor Of NJ s. Apple
man, deceased, will, sell valuable real es-
tate in Northumberland county, near De-
wart, on Saturday, February 2sth.
The administrator Of Margaret Mellick
will sell real estate in Scott township on
Wednesday, March 11th. See advertise
ment.
Reuben Fry will sell personal prop
erty on the premises near Hetlervile
on Tuesday. Mar ch 3D.. General farming
utensils also horses, cows, &c.
Alem c. Van Liew will sell personal
property on premises in Mt. Pleasant town.
ship, near Light Street on Thursday, Feb
ruary 26th at ten o'clock in the forenoon.
Horses, cows, farming implements, &c.
The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-02-20
GENERAL NEWS.

DIR. Damrosch, the celebrated musician,
died in New York on Sunday.
Major.G eneral w. 5. Hancock was 81
years old on the l4th.
A $4,000 FIRE at Mahanoy City last Sat-
urday night.
200 sheep and 80 hogs were killed by the
wreck of freight train on the Pennsylva.
MIA road near Huntingdon, on Sunday.
F. A, Drexel, one OF the richest men in
Philadelphia, died suddenly on Sunday af-
ternoon. He was one of the great bank
ing firm of Drexill g. Co.
A Centralia dispatch says that Reuben
Ball miner, was killed while working in
breast at Centralia colliery by fall of
coal.
The town OF Alta, Utah, was nearly
wiped out by an avalanche on the 18th. 1t
had been showing for week, and the
snow was ls feet deep on the level Most
of the houses were deserted for the winter,
but boarding house was swept away and
twenty.eight people buried.