davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
The Oldest Preacher in the World.

Whether it Is the effects of our wonderful climate that people live to a greater age in Washington County than almost any other place in the world we cannot say, but nevertheless 1t is fact. There are scores of both men and women in the county over eighty years old. It was only three years agoI that Peter Mankins, sen.,' died at the age of one hundred and twelve years. "Young Peter," his son, is hale and hearty at ninety. Yet case of greater longevity than that of Mankins is produced. Thomas Tenant, of Vineyard Township. was born in 1771, now one hundred and fourteen years ago. He came to Ar kansas about the year 1919 and set tied near Little Rock, where he fol- lowed the calling of an itinerant Methodist preacher. He came to this county and settled in what is now Vineyard Township in 1919, and ha; lived here ever since. He represent ed the county in the Legislature al an early period of his history. He ha; lived a most exemplary life, and ii revered by all who know him. He 1; one of the oldest men living, anC probably the oldest minister in tht wOuld
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
Two Temperance Towns.

"If you want to strike real tenn, perance town, go to Fayal in the Azores. Drunkenness is a rarity there, and yet wine and spirits ara sold everywhere. The climate of the Azores is perfectly delightful, rarely below 35 and never above 80. Fayal is an interesting little town of 30,00d people, and the principal exports are oranges, wine and oil.
 Speaking of temperance towns, ] would also commend you to .Cantaniai Italy, which has population of 10O,. 900, with scarcely drink ot whiskey or brandy in the town. Everybody high or low, drinks the native wines al meals, but nobody drinks between meals, and a drunken man has no' been seen in Cantania for years, ex' cept now and then British sailofl'--
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
The Evolution of Punctuation.

Caxton, the first English printer, had three punctuation marks-the comma, the colon, and the period-but says MT. Blades, an excellent author ity in relation to Caxton and every thing concerning him, it is doubtful if he had any idea of the principles of punctuation. The earliest known manuscripts are without any points
 nor is there any division between the words. The confusion resulting led to the separation of words by a single dot. Then space between the words superseded the dot, which was made to perform another service, viz, to show the division of sentence. The Greek grammarians were the first to recognize the limbs of a sentence. A clause they called comma, @ mem-
 Der of sentence a colon, and a com- plete sentence a period. Little atten- tion, however, was paid to these divisions for a long time. Elius Donatus, who flourished in the fifth century, and wrote 8 grammar which served all Europe until after the in, vention of printing, was the first to distinguish these divisions by placing dot at the bottom of the line, where our full point now is, to designate the comma; in the middle of the line, where the hyphen is, for the colon; and at the top of the line, where our apostrophe is, for the full point. It was not until well into the sixteenth century that printers began definitely adopting an acknowledged system of graduated points.-Printers' Circular.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
Chasing the Pipe.LIne Scraper,


 One of the many odd callings which the production and pipeline ttanspor- tation of.petroleum have made neces- sary, is one known as chasing the scraper," says an Clean (N. Y. letter to the New York Sun. Crude pe- troleum is run from the oil regions to the rel1neries at the seaboard, a dis tance of 800 miles, in iron pipes. It is forced over the high hills that in- teryene by powerful pumps. Much of the way it runs by its own gravity. These pipes are constantly becoming clogged by sediment and paraffine. To clean them out an iron stem, two feet and half long, to which are at7 tached circular steel scrapers, fitting loosely in the pipes, is placed in the pipe at regular periods. This Is forced along the line by the pressure of ths oil behind it. It is necessary to keen track of this scraper, in order that It's exact location may be constantly known, so that if it is stopped by any obstacle it may be readily discovered and the obstacle removed. The noiso made by the scraper against the iron pipes as 1t moves along their interior would not be heard by an untrained ear, but certain employees of the Pipe Line Company are able to follow 1t on its journey by the noise, and never losG it's situation. These men are tho scraper chasers. They are stationed in relays three or four miles apart along the line. One chaser will follow up and down mountains, across ravlnes, and through streams and swamps un- til he reaches the end of his section, when another man takes up the. chase and follows it until bis relief Is reached, and So on until the course of the scraper Is run. The work Is one of hardship and danger, owing to the character of the country through which miles of pipe line is laid. If a chaser by any mishap is thrown of the track of the scraper and 1t be- comes clogged before he can recover its position in the pipe, the cutting of of the pipe for long distances is fire quently made necessary, that the mis- sing object may be found--a work that is accompanied by much expense and labor. V ---- \
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05

goodly portion lodging on Giles shirt front, while he, with the others, was enjoying another hearty laugh.
 ''Did I ever see sich pack of fools p''
 "There's no use crying over split milk, Judy"
 "Spilt milk and a woman in a barre of soft soap are two different things, and you'll find 1t out so afore you get through"
 "T always told you, Judy, if you'd do little less scolding, and use a little more soft soap, you'd make a good many more friends than you do now."
 "Wal, guess I've got enough out this time to suit you, and don't you never say soft soap to me again as long as you live"
 After spending great deal of time and strength, Mrs. Stutson was at last as far out of her dilemma as the wash bench, and commenting upon her personal appearance.
 "Who ever see sich looking crit. terp Callker dress all split, shoes, stockings, and the hull rig"
 She then ordered Jabe to get a tub of water and Martha to bring clean clothes. MT. Stutson had already gone for the meat rack, thinking it would have been cheaper to put it up in the first place than have been hindered in this way, and wishing women folks would mind their own business and let the men folks alone. .....
 "Jest look at this cellar bottom, 9 Mrs. Stutson exclaimed, "and this bench and thingsl It'll take a hull day to clean 1t up as it ought ter be, and all this because the men folks didn't tend to things they'd orter."
 But from that day to this, whenever Judy begins to scold, MT. Stutson says, "A leetle more soft soap, Judy" and Judy is silent.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05

Andrew J. Spencer, a Brooklyn lawyer, has been retained as attorney for the claimants of the Churchill es- tate in Englsnd and Newfoundland, valued at s40,0o0,OOO. The claimants reside in Brooklyn, New York, and Boston. Nicholas Churchill, who was engaged in the seal and cod fisheries in Newfoundland century ago, was the founder of the immense fortune, which was divided between his daughter Elizabeth and his son Nich- olas. Miss Churchill died in 1876, aged 104 years, the entire estate then being in her possession, her brother Nicholas having died without issue. By the terms of his fathers will, the estate was to fall to his daughters issue and as she had none, no dis position was made of the large property. The present claimants as- sert that they are the nearest surviving kin of Elizabeth. They are Mrs. Mary Seymour of New York, and her brother. Samuel Harvon; Mrs. Welsh of Brooklyn, and her brother David Boran and Mrs. Thomas J. Mulby of Boston. The latter is at present in England.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
A White Man Turning Black.

Considerable interest has been shown by scientific men in the case of Martin Hemming. a middle-aged resident of Dale County, Ala. Hemming is @ rather well-to.do farmer. He has al, ways been in good health and is of fine physique. About six months ago he noticed that the skin on his chest showed signs of discoloration in spots. At first the patches were of a pale brownish yellow color, but they gradu. ally grew darker. and the hue seemed to spread. Then his arm and back be- gan to be similarly affected, and sub. sequently his legs became discolored. Recently small spots have made their appearance on his cheeks, forehead and neck. This gradual discoloration, it is believed, will continue until the mans skin becomes wholly black, or rather very dark brown. Hemming has been under medical treatment, but without avail. The physicians who have ex- amined the case pronounce the affec' ton to be one of which there is no rec ord in medical treatises. A singular feature about the malady is thas lem mipgs,general kcalth'iS in'n0 way ih. paifed.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
FOREIGN rrEMR

Sixty criminals, who had been sentenced to exile in Siberia recently, while en route from Moscow, rose against their guards, and, although unArmed, began desperate light for liberty. The battle lasted long timo, and the soldiers were absolutely unable Co conquer their mauaclcd assAilauts. Twenty of them wero shot dead, and of the other forty thirty made their escape. Two Of Inc soldiers worc wounded.
 Tho Registrar Generals quarterly return estimates the present population Of Ireland at 4,92l 942, showing great decreasel which m chiefly owing 10 emigration to America.
 It is reported that Osman Digma was killed in the Kassala battle. The Mahdra fol. lowers are everywhere domoralized
 "A native Indian col fer was reported for misconduct. In revenge he shot and kilcd two sergcanta belonging Co native regiment He then barricaded himself within hs quar- ters and shot his wife dead. After keeping up for time an effective fire against those who attempted 10 as,ail his sNetssaha ale lay down down besile his wlfe's corpse and with his last bullet ended his own life.
 In the English Houae of Commons, m amendment Co the Criminal bill. providing or tho 1agging oi persons convicted Of 0utraging children, was rejected by vote of i25 Co ai. An amendment raising tho ago Of protection of girls to 10, was carried by vote of l79 Co
 -News from the village of MoniAgndo, in tho Province of SoriA, Spain, states thai in eight days there have been al0 deaths from cholera and 800 remain i'll, oJs of Q population if 800 persons.
 -It iH longer doubted ttAt tho Mahdi ia dead. apelcial agent of tls late insurR ent, who has often been sent on confidential mia- eions to tho Egyptian 0oYernment, has ar- rived at Cairo, and has fully confirmed the ro- poit that Fl MAhdl died If disease on June 22. The agent says, however, that tho var faro will he carried on AH vigorously as evor, tnd will reach Upper Egyptby the end of this year.
 There has been terrible storm at Torrs Cajetant in Italy. Thirtcor persons were killed and iwenty-two injured by lightning.
 Thirty persons who were Injured by the fall in Cologne, of two houses have been eh. trActed from the ruins. The bodies of seveA of the killed hayo been reco yered-
 The United States Oonsul at Barcelona ros ports that in tho three months ending July ( Ihore were 28, 044 caaea of cholerA and i2,3AI deaths in Spain.
 Sir Moses Montehore. tho well hnowu Hebrew philAnthropiat who in October iAet celebrated the Tooth anniversary of his birth day. died At East Chn Lodge, hAmsgate, on Tuesday.
 Three men have been arrested At Moale- eau les Mines, Franco, on ohargo of attempt- ing to blow up pA church ai eanvignca with dy- namito.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
Advice to Young Married People.

AdY1ce 10 1Oung marrleu FeOpIes
 "Drive gently over the stones l" This piece of advice, which is fire quently given to inexperienced whips, may be respectfully suggested to the newly married. There are stony pla ces on the road to happiness. which if not carefully driven over, may upset the domestic coach. The first rock ahead which should be marked "dan- gerous" is the first year of married life. Here, especially is the first step that costs; as rule, the first year either mars or makes a marriage. During this period errors may be committed which will cast shadow over every year that follows. On awakening sud denly from sleep we feel put out and rather cross. May not the young husband and wife experience feelings not entirely different when they awake to reality from the dreams of court ship and the fascination of the honey moonp Everything must once more be contemplated after the ordinary manner of the world, once more with subdued feelings spoken of, considered and settled. For the first time husband and wife see each other as they actually are. Each brings certain peculiarities into the married state to which the other has to grow accustomed. They have now to live no longer for themselves, but for each other, and the lesson is not learned in moment. In all things indifferent the husband and wife must be willing to yield. however new it may be to them, however diff ferent from what they themselves thought. Self must be sacrificed in order thereby to gain the help of another beloved existence. A lady once asked Dr. Johnson how in his dictionary he came to define pGStern the knee of horse; he immediately answered: Ignorance, madam; pure ignorance" This is the simple expla nation of many an accident that take' place at the commencement of thu matrimonial journey. The young couple have not yet learned the dan gerous places of the road, and, as [ consequence, they drive carelessly owe
 them.-The Qui0er.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05

Twenty years ago the number of Insane persons in the United States was only 24,042. In 1870 it reached 47,432, and in 1880 treatment was re- 4uired for 91, ,959 lunatlcs, From 1870 to 1880 the increase of insanity was nearly 150 per cent, while that of the total population was about 86. The proportion of insane is greatest in New England, while the increase has been most rapid in the western states. In the state of New York there afe D5 institutions for the care of these unfortunate people, accommodating l1,343 patients, while it is said there are 4,000 provided for at home. In America, apart from several large county asylums, there are 80 state and 10 private institutions for the care of the insane, with proper capacity for about 10000, but containing 53,192, thus leaving probably 45,000 to be Sared for elsewhere.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
1nnmlnaIed Nest of bod Iaya.

The nest is in itself beautiful and in- penious piece of work. The upper por- ton ia divided into two chambers, ono for Mother Baya while she Is sitting, and one for Father Baya whon he has earned the right to rest by having pro- yidod his wife with food. Tho lower portion of the nest Is general living room for the whole family as soon as tho little ones have grown strong enough 70 leave tho upper chamber.
 Here is homo that might well bo all that the most exacting could roquiro, but having provided for creature comfort tho baya has yet to gratify its sensc of the beautiful. The little mother is hardly settled down when the male bird, having put the finishing touches to the nest, darts forth and returns with fresh lump of clay. which he atlixos Co tho innor wall of ths nest. Then quickly away again to capture ono of the living sparka of which there arc myrieds in tho tropics. The fro.ny is secured to tho lump of clay, and lights up tho little homo with it's phosphorescont glow. Another and another are added, until tho patient little mother has light enough to cheer her during the long, dark night Aftor that one or moro of the animated dia- monds are fastened to tho exterior, thoro to glitter and flash for tho dcleotation ot tho outside world, for the baya is no sol- fish lover of nrt. lIo does not lock his treasures up in his gallery, but is willing to share his enjoyment with all.
 And what pleasure ho does give can be easily comprchcnded by a light effort of the imagination, which has only to picture a quaint little hut with over hanging caves nostling in the gloom ot n tangled tropical forest From tho caves gently wave the gayly illuminated bird nest lanterns, shedding aaolt, happy homo light on tho poor little cottage, which loses its wrotchedness for tho umo being and Is transformed into fairy nataee. .-,y C. Beard, in Harper.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
A Day of Memories.


 On day like this, when the streets are wet, When the skies are gray and the rain is fall ! ing, How can you hinder an old regret, For joy long dead, and hope long set, From rising out of it's grave and calling Calling to you, with voice so shrin That it scares the reason and stuns the will. On day like this, when the sun is hid
 And you and your heart are housed together, If memories come to you all untold, And something suddenly vets your lid,
 Like gust of the outdoor weather, Why, who is at fault but the dim old days Too dark for labor, too dull for playl On day like this, that is blurred and gray, When the rain drips down in ceaseless tash-
 ion, If a dream, that you banished and put away, Comes back to stare in your face and say Mute, eloquent words of passion; R the whole vast universe -seems auniss, Why, who can help it, day like thisi nc
 Ella Wheeler Wilcor.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
MAUD s. HEATS HER RECORD.
She Makes n Mile Over a Slew Track tu
 Cleveland tn EOS 3-a.


 
 Tho phenomenal record which made Maud s. the queen of the turf has boon broken. Tho wonderful marc lowered her own record at tho Cleveland, Ohio, Driving Park on Thlraday. Two years ago she trotted a milo on tho same track in 20as1, and soon after made hor famous record of 2091S, in an exhibition mile at Lexington, Ky. Thursdays performance was a milo in 2iosg1. Maud s. drew new and stylish rod Hulky. After exhibiting horsolf and making mile In 22S, the mare was then given a little rest and then put to her work.
 At the first quarter tho watches showed 32l1 {, and the reporters and Judges were HAuhfrd that she would mako potter than 2i0. As pretty as n picture she flew along tho back stretch, and when tho half was reached in 1041S those who knew the time were cons vinoed that the mare's rocord of 209k would bo broken. At the third quarter the watches showed 1;351T, and the crowd hold their breaths in expectation.
 Blair called the marc by nAmo twice, and then gave her the whip. Inc maid aa well aa her driver knew that the record was being beaten. Blair gave her dozen sharp, hoavy strokes with the whip. Ata wonderful rate she camo down tho homestretoh. sho did not vary an inch from her course. few yards from the wire she was seen to weaken and her speed was reduced Sue saw tho wiro. bho heard tho applause that thundercd from tho crowd She leasoned her speed remarkably the moment tho wiro was reached and camc 70 full stop at the first turn.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
HUMOROUS.

Men who pry into things-Bur. glars .aa. .aa. .
 A dentist is no chicken. He is al. ways pull-it.
 A charity entertainment is generally "poor" show.
 'Stick to it." as the flypaper ob. served to the fly. Esereerr.Esss
 A love letter may be said to be a writ of attachment.
 A convict, however poor, can always have a watch and chain. ..rs
 Imust shake of this bad habit, seld a tramp, as he gazed at his tattered coat. .a..# .. e..a 2. e.r.a ..-.
 The boys description of having g tooth pulled was: "Just before il killed me the tooth came obt."
 The difference between a playbill and a landlord is, one is often stuck on a bill board and the other on board bill.
 Ladies sh ould refrain from throw ing their castoff footwear into neigh boring alleys, for alley gaiters are dangerous. .....-...s.. ..........
 A thing of beauty is sometimes Q jaw forever, is the revision of an old saw for the benefit of the rising young male generation ..s .-.. s. .. .
 It is not surprising that ladies should become violinists. They have always manifested a desire to look af- ter the beaux.
 A turnip closely resembling au ele- phant is on exhibition at Key West. A man closely resembling a beat can be seen almost anywhere.e
 A man in osceola, Mich, has three daughters, all of whom are laptes, Heis probably the champion dumb bell raiser of the world. - .f. . l
 It is now quite the style for the bridal couple to be an.Hour or two late. so as to produce the impression that neither cared very much to gel married.
 Crowded out to make room fol more interesting matter" said the edi tor,as he showed aside plate of beans and tackled pie.
 It takes but thirteen minutes tc lead an elephant on train, while Il takes twenty for any sort of a woman to bid'her friends good-by and lose tho check for her trunk.
 It is said that tout of every ono hundred and nine female school teach, CTS, seven marry every year." How awful it must be for those seven wo- men to marry every year.
 There is King in Africa who hat only one shirt. But it must not bt supposed that he loses caste on that account. By no means. His shirt f. the only one in the kingdom.
 Cooking schools are all very well 1T their way, but they won't reach theil highest possibility of good until they teach young girls who intend to gel married how to build the kitchen fire [ "What song shall I sing for you to night2" she asked him. 'Sing thai old Scotch song, T canna leave tn, auld folks yet, we'd better bide { wee.'" "oh George, that is a yer. ugly song. It suggests procrastila tion. Let me sing that beautiful song, Just now -
 Landlady, handing bill to boarder "This is the forty-seventh time, Nil Jones, have presented this bill. Boarder, taking it from her hands ant examining 1t critically: '1s that SC Mrs. SweetP We'll, it doesn't show tn wear and tear at all Have you an. idea who manufactures this paper ?" l
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
A Water.LiIys

O, stnr on the breast of the rvcri
 O, marvel of bloom and gracei Did you fall straight down from Heaven, Out of the sweetest placef You are white as the thought of an angell Your heart is steeped in the sun; Did you grow in the Golden City,
 My pure and radiant onei Nay, nay-I fell out of Heaven;
 None gavs me my saintly white; It slowly grew from the blackness
 Down in the dreary night. From the ooze of the silent river
 won my glory and grace, White souls fall not, 0 my poet;
 They rise to the sweetest place.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
When an important division Is ex

When an important division Is ex- pected in the Bri tish Parliament. cer- Iain members on each side are charged with the duty of getting their respec- i've partisans to the chamber. These measures are called "whips," and the importance of the notice served is in Iicated by the number of lines em- ployed in the underscoring always be- heath the words of the message. The excuses given by the absent Liberals upon their party's recent defeat are being published. Eight say they were ll, four were out of the country, one missed the train, and no less than four were on wedding tours.
Connecticut western news., 1885-08-05
TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The population of Europe has in- creased in a century from 145, 100000 to 350O00,000. Englishmen have null tiplied fivefold, the Russians fourfold, and the Germans less than threefold while Frenchmen and Spaniards have added only about 50 per cent.