davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
SpNlS in m Iceberg.

Capt. Laarsen, of the Norwegian
bark Firga, told the following story of
his last trip, to Philadelphia Times
reporter: ave were within perhaps
800 miles of the eastern coast of New
foundland, when we sighted an ice
berg. The weather had been foggy
and we were creeping along with short
canvas. Suddenly mountain of ice
doomed up, and we drifted toward it.
The iceberg was as clear as crystal,
with the exception Of great, dark
mass in its centre, fathom or so above
the waters edge. From cleft in the
side Of the berg, slender column of
vapor assembled. l at once directed
my binocular glasses upon the crystal
mass, and discovered that the black
b.otch in the centre was moving.
Soon it could be plainly seen with the
naked eye, and my men became greatly
excited. In half an hour we were
I near enough to get at the truth, and
you may scarcely credit it, but that
iceberg was just swarming with seals.
There must have been $4,000 worth
of sealskins in that berg The vapor
that came from the top of the iceberg
was caused by their breathing. With
out exaggeration. l think there were
between two and three hundred seals
there. The berg was evidently hollow,
and the water we could see the seals
plunge into now and then, was the
ocean. The wall of ice that separated
us from the seals, appeared to be but
a few feet thick, and think it had
only been there short time. Very
likely it formed after the seals were
there, for it is not probable that they
would have come up in such numbers
from below. and voluntarily made a
place like that their home. They no
doubt gathered there from different
parts of big foe, and had been float
ing around for months unable to
change their quarters. After sailing
around the berg without finding an
opening, we hove the bark to and lay
off that iceberg as long as we dared,
hoping it would split or crack in some
manner to give us chance to get at
the seals; but nothing happened, and
we had to sail away"
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
A Mixed Compliment.

John LittleHeld, who is one of the
handsomest men in Galveston, engaged
himself to young lady who was very
far from being handsome. Her nose was
very large, her eyes very small-in fact,
she was positively homely. The young
husband met Bill Nicholson on the street
and asked him:
How do you like her looks3'
81 think you have done very well
She has one great advantage over you.
"What is that2"
"She displayed much better taste il
selecting partner than you did,"
Littletield has been thinking it over
and is almost satisfied in his own mine
that there is something he doesn't lik'
in the compliment to his future wife,
,Siftin1s
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

Spurious bullion has been detected at
several points throughout the country
for some months past. Some of it has
been found in the United States mint.
1t was clever imitation, but it was i'm
mediately discovered. The counterfeit
metal came to the mint from the agent
Of the Adams Express company. The
want of specific gravity first attracted
attention. 1t looked genuine and
withstood the acid test. An analysis
showed that it was made out Of steel fl
ings covered with fine gold, made to ad,
here by a composition of turpentine.
The deposits weighed about ten ounces
each, Troy measure. Colonel Snowden
says it is one Of the boldest attempts In
gold counterfeiting he has known in
later years. Philade'phin Press.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
LADIES' DEPARTMENT.
The Study of Finger Nails.

The study Of finger nails, the shape
and color of which are said to indi-
cate certain traits of character, is q
new occupation. Long and slender
finger nails denote imagination, love
of art, and laziness; if long and fiat,
they are the sign of prudence, good
sense and grave mental faculties; If
wide and short, Of anger and rude
ness. controversy and obstinacy; a
healthy color signifies virtue, health,
happiness, courage, and liberality; dry
and brittle nails are signs of anger,
cruelty, quarrel, eliminating even in
murder; curved in the shape of claws,
hypocrisy and wickedness; soft, feeble,
ness of body and mind, and lastly, we
are told that short nails, gnawed
down to the flesh, signify Stiffness and
dissipation Boston Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

Sashes are worn in Paris even with
gowns as rich as those Of black velvet.
Worth is making his wraps in such
way that they give a slender effect
to the figure.
Stylish and pretty muffs and bonnets
are sold en- suite, made of cloth and
plush, or of velvet, fur-trimmed.
Amber handles adorn some Of the
most elegant of the new oblong fans
made of a few costly feathers.
Metal buttons in great profusion are
again used upon the jacket, panels
and drapery of the promenade cos
tune.
The present season has witnessed
The revival of many old favorites both
as to materials and their trimmings
and style of making.
The new woollen lace looks very
pretty if the pattern be wrought out
in silk or gold thread. The work is
very easy and pleasant to do.
The dainty jewelry most in vogue
at present is copied from the Oriental
and semi barbaric models, Moori h and
Egyptian designs being held in specia
! favor.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
Some Wedding superstitions.

In Sweden, a bride must carry bread
in her pocket, and as many pieces of
it as she can throw away, just 50 much
trouble does she cast FROM her;
but it is no luck to gather the pieces.
Should the bride lose her slipper, then
she will lose all troubles, only in this
case the person who picks it up will
gain riches. The Manxmen put salt
in their pockets, and the Italians
"blcssed" charms. The Romans were
very superstitious about marrying in
May or February; they avoided all
celebration days, and the Calends,
Nones, and Ides of every month. The
day of the week on which the 14th of
May fell, was considered very unlucky
in many parts of Emery old England"
and in the Orkney Islands bride
selects her wedding day so that its
evening may have c growing moon
and a flowing tide. In Scotland the
last day of the year is thought to be
lucky, and if the moon houldhappen tc
be full at any time when Il wedding
takes place, the brides cup of happi
ness is expected to be always full. Ii
Perthshire, the couple who have hat
their bands published at the end Of
one, and are married at the beginning
of another quarter of year, car
expect nothing but ends.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
A Famous Washington Block.

In the immediate vicinity OF Ine
house occupied by Senator Hale, says
a Washington letter to the Boston
Journal, is the house in which once
lived Mr.. James G. Blaine, Gen. Sher-
man, Senator West, Of Louisiana,
Gen. Van Vliet, of the army, and Fer
nando Wood. This, in its time, was
one of the most noted blocks in Wash
ington. West, who is now one of the
District Commissioners, alone occcu.
pies this house. Gen. Sherman has
moved to st. Louis and his house is
rented. Van Vliet is on the retired
list and his house is rented Mr. Blaine
sold his house for less than he gave for
it Che having purchased it when real
estate was at its highest), to a broker,
William R. Travers, of New York,
whose daughter and son-in-law, Rep
rescntative Wadsworth, of New York,
now occupy it during the winters
The Fernando Wood house and the
one adjacent to it are occupied by the
famous John Chamberlain as res
taurant. Immediately across the
street to the west, towards the Airing.
ton, is the famous Gov. Morgan house
This was occupied by Gov, Morgan
when he was in the senate, and sub,
sequently was the residence of Hamil
ton Fish during his entire adminlstra
ton Of the state department. This
house was the center of society during
the Grant regime. Mr.. Fish is said to
have never expended less than S3O,OOC
year in social entertainments. The
costly example which he set has been
asocial burden upon some of his less
wealthy successors. Mr.. Evarts fol-
lowed him 50 far as to pay almost the
entire salary as secretary of state
$4,000, for the furnished house owned
by Mr.. Hutchinson, of the Alaska Ful
Seal company, in the same locality
Mr.. Evarts is said to still boast that Of
his entire salary as secretary of state
there was just $1,000 that he did moi
expended for house rent. On | street, tt
the north side of the Chamberlain
house, is the house which Chief Jus.
tice Waite has recently bought and thu
much larger house of Mr.. William E
Chandler Mr.. Waite preferred tt
live nearer town, and gaveup a hous'
in which he had established himsel
some years ago nearer to the famous
west end. Near to Mr.. Waite's is
large double house owned by Mr.. Eos
ter, our minister to Russia, and occu
pied by his intimate personal friend
who doubtless secured his place in tn
cabinet through Mr.. Foster, Postmas
ter Gen. Gresham. Adjoining thi
house is a row Of wooden tenement
occupied by negroes.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
Loss and Gain.
CHAPTER I.
al was taken sick a year ago
With bilious fever"

INV doctor pronounced me cured, but col
sick again, with terrible pains my back and
sides, and got so bad
Could not move!
shrunk
From 22s lbs. to 1901 had been doctorine
for my liver, but it did me no good. die
not expect TO live more than three months
| began to use Hop Bitters.
Directly my appetite returned, my pains LEFT
me, my entire system seemed renewed as i
by magic, and after using several bottles, J
am not only as sound as sovereign, but weigh
more than ! did before. To Hop Bitters
owe my life" II. fITzPAIhich-
Dublin, June G. 81.
CHATTER II.
"Malden, Mass, Feb. l., 1880. Gentlemen.
I suffered with attacks of sick headache
Neuralgia, female trouble for years in the
most terrible and excruciating manner.
No medicine or doctor could give me relief
or cure until used Hop Bitters.
1.-THE first bottle
Nearly cured me-"
The second made me as well and strong as
when a child,
"And | have been so to this day."
| My husband was an invalid for twenty
years with serious
"Kidney, liver and urinary complaint,
pronounced by BoStons best physicians
"Incurable"
Seven bottles of your Bitters cured him and
| know Of the
olives of eight persons
In my neighborhood that have been saved
| BY your bitters,
And many more are using them with great
benefit.
"They almost
Do miracles ~ MRS. Il. ID. SLACK.
How TO GET SIcK-Expose yourself day
and night eat too much without exercise;
work too hard without rest; doctor all the
time; take all the vile nostrums advertised,
and then YOU will want to know hoD 10 get
nell, which is answered in three words--Take
Hop Bitters!
/. r. None genuine without bunch OF green
Hops on the white label. Shun all the vile,
poisonous stuff with shop" or Hops" in their
| name
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
The Marriage ERir in Dritta ny.

The marriage fair, the institution of
which dates from time immemorial,
was held as usual the past year on ST.
Michaels day, in the little village of
Penze, in Brittany. In pursuance of
the singular custom, all the marriage
able girls with dowry from that and
neighboring villages, dressed in their
best fnery, climb on the parapet of the
bridge, on which they sit in rows.
Naturally enough all of them are
anxious to win a suitor; they there
fore vie with each other in showing
their personal attractions. One,shows
fine waist; another allows a pretty
foot to peep out from under her dress;
a third bares a shapely arm, while a
fourth exhibits a forest of long hair.
The eager youths soon advance along
the footway Of the bridge and examine
the eligible girls. They, too, are at
great pains to make the best possible
impression-this one curling an in
cipient mustache, that one throwing
back his thick locks. and others. again,
walking to show off their upright
bearing. When one of them fancies
one of the girls he steps up to her and
offers his hand to help Iher to alight
from the parapet. If he is to her
taste she takes the proffered hand,
jumps down, 'and negotiations at once
begin with the parents standing BY
Should all inquiries turn out salts
factory on both sides the young couple
strike each others open hand and the
affair is concluded. The marriage
follows soon after.-San francisco
| Chronicle.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
Heavy Realization,

81 understand" said a man to an &C.
quaintance, "that you are no longer
postmaster at Hornville."
"That's fact"
"Did you rcsign1"
"No; they showed me out"
"What forl'
"Misappropriation of funds, they
said.
"But you are not guilty, are youl'
"Well, came out fifty cents short"
"That all2 They should have made
no complaint about so small an amount.
Only fifty centsl"
"That's all"
"That's strange. What was the total
amount of receipts during the entire
year,"
"Seventy-five cents" - Arkansn,o
Trdpe(er.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
CannihalIsm I'm Africa

Many readers have been inclined to
doubt the frightful account recently
published by Mr.. s. st. John of the re-
vival Of cannibalism in Hayti, but mar
rative just received from the west coast
Of Africa shows that the practice exists
in our own territories Captain Barnett,
district commissioner in Cape Coast
Castle, recently found it necessary to
suppress a riot in the interior by force,
and, finding that it was fomented by a
native priest, ordered the fetish house to
be entered, He there found portions OF
two human bodies baking in a large
brass pan. their owners having evident
ly been murdered by blows which
crushed in their skulls Voodooism,
which now RACES in Hayti, is, in fact, an
old African creed, and its priests hold
cannibalism necessary to their rites. The
crime will, of course, be summarily put
down in Cape Coast CASTLE and we
think that it will be found that the plea
of religion, which is better plea thar
that OF hunger, will not be admitted
london Spectator.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

Trim-htting waistcoats are now
worn in place of the full pelican-like
Fedora vests which dlsGgured SO
many otherwise elegant costumes the
past season.
The Japanese wrappers which are
called "down lined" are really stuffed
with wool, which is warm and light
and infinitely better than cotton for
the purpose.
Smock-polonaises of camel's hair
goods are belted at the waist and
trimmed with the soft falling, but
very perishable, feathery garniture
known as ziblinette.
Skirts with a very deep ilounce
arranged at the edge in fan-pleated
scallops. and falling over a shell-pleat-
ing of white lace, are among the novel
ties of recent importation.
Some new embroidered flannel bands
intended to be used as trimmings look
so very fresh that most persons sup
posed them to be machine work,
although they are really executed by
hand
Some of the Partisan dressmakers
have adopted the plan of making black
silk costumes with no trimming more
elaborate than pinked bands of the
material alternating with pinked bands
of velvet.
To the floral garnitures for the
toilet are now added tiny little
bouquets of blossoms and vines ming
led with lace, which are fastened to
the sleeve just above the elbow, where
half-long sleeves are worn, this, of
course, in evening dress only.
Some of the "housemaid" skirts and
other plain ones not so full as those
known by that name, have perpendicu-
lar trimmings of broad, pointed bands
of velvet, reaching more than hall
way up the length of the skirt, and
set at intervals all around ia style
that has not been in fashion for many
years.
Girls who have a wholesome regard
for their chinchlla and sealskir
shoulder capes deliberately turn then
wrong side out when surprised by thu
sudden descent of the snow flakes. an(
the Innings are so pretty that tn,
wearers look very well, and half tn,
men who see them do not guess wha
it is that they have upon thei
shoulders.
A pretty costume for young cir
has jersey waist of pale tan color,
tint which it is best not to endeavor t.
find in ready-made jerseys, as YER
few are imported. but which all tn
= large shops have in jersey cloth. TIL
skirt is trimmed with band of velve
at the foot. and has tucks rather les
than an inch wide almost up to tn
waist. The collar and cuffs, and
wide sash which conceals the hem Q
the jersey. are of velvet.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
How TO Pronounce Depot.

There are about as many ways o
pronouncing depot as there are eccen
trio ways of pronounclng "crematory,'
FINANCE" ETC., says an exchange. Al
a road out Of the difficulty we Civ
the following suggestion:
1t is but step-oh
Down to the dep-ho,
The way is quite steep-ho
That leads to the deep-ho.
slipped on grape-oh
Just by the day-poh,
In store by the dee-pot
bought this small teapot
Perhaps t, end the agitation,
We'd better hencefor h call it station.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
CLIPPINGS FOR THE CURIOUS.

South Carolina is the only State In
the Union in which it is possible to
obtain judicial divorce for any cause.
Some French scientists now regard
the zodlacal light as simply areflectlon
Of light from the Illuminated part of
the earth upon an open stratum OF the
atmosphere.
On some occasions M. Colladon has
observed that two or three seconds after
hailstones had fallen to the ground,
they sprang into the air again to a
height of from eight inches to more
than eleven inches, as If they had been
struck upward by the earth.
A fine lioness in the Dublin Zoologi-
cal Gardens has shown a curious appe-
tite by commencing to devour herself.
She ate twelve inches of her tail at one
repast, and has since nearly finished
that appendage, and has partially de-
voured one Of her fore paws.
Enamel is the hardest tissue of the
body, and contains not more that two
per cent of animal matter. 1t consists
of six-sided libres set side by side at
right angles to the surfaces OF the
dentine. Cement closely resembles
bone and is present only in the teeth
OF the higher animals.
A species of ant observed in the
Island of st. Thomas, has been de-
scribed to the French Academy OF
Science. A large fire having been
kindled at a certain distance from the
ant hill, the ants were seen to precipi-
tate themselves into it by thousands,
until it was completely extinguished.
The chair in which the English SOY,
ereigns for the past 500 years have sal
to be crowned is a rough wooden
affair with a Gothic back. 1t stands
on the backs of four wooden lions, and
has underneath the seat the famous
"Stone of Scotland which the Scottish
sovereigns, down to the time when
there were none, knelt on to be
crowned.
The shell of crustaceans like the
crab and lobster is periodically cast off
for the animals continue to grow even
after they have reached their mature
form. This moulting is very re-
markable operation. How the lobster
can draw its legs from their cases
without unjointing or splitting then
was long a puzzle The flesh becomes
soft and is drawn through the joints
the wounds thus caused quickly heal
ing.
The Mantchoos, who conquered
China, make a kind of drink from The
flesh of lambs, either by fermenting it
reduced to q kind of paste, with TIT
milk of their domestic animals, OF
bruising it to PUPPY substance witt
rice. When matured it is put into
Jars and drawn off as needed. Ger
billion says that the rich Mongols leave
mutton to ferment with their SOU
milk before they distill it. This is un
doubtedly the spirit said to be mad'
from the flesh of the sheep by tn
Tartars in China, of which the emperor
were 50 fond.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.
Industry prevents vice.
Promise little and do much.

'huuoI'y Pi0'Sheo 'iSS'
Promise little and do much.
Economy is the chair of old age.
Concession is the best peacemaker.
A little leak will sink great ship.
The brave only know how to forgive.
Doubt springs from the mind; faith
is the daughter Of the soul.
The more honesty a man has, the
less he affects the air Of saint.
Perseverance is the foundation Of
the successful every undertaking.
The heart, under certain circum-
stances, has surer tests than the head.
AS you cannot avoid your own COM
pany make it as good ss possible.
In condemning the vanity of women,
men complain of the fire they them
selves have kindled.
To most men experience is like the
stern lights Of a ship. which illumes
only the track it has passed.
No man ever regretted that he was
virtuous and honest in his youth, and
kept away from idle companions.
The world is apt to coo in your ear
like a dove when you are rich, but if
you happen to be poor it kicks like a
mule.
Seclusionis not conquest; it is cru
ciixion. Strong character, like strong
muscle, comes from activity, from
warfare, not from retreat.
The mind of childhood is the ten"
derest, hottest thing on earth. Let
parents stand as watchers at the tenn
pie, lest any unclean thing should
enter
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

Mrs. Harriet Cummings, of Cincinnati
Ohio, writes; early last winter my daughter
was attacked with severe cold, which settled
on her lungs. We tried several medicines
none of which seemed to do her any good, bu
she continued to get worse, and finally raised
large amounts of blood from her lungs. w,
called in family physi'i,n, but he failed to
do her any good. At this time a friend wht
had reen cured by pr. VIM. Halls Balsan
for the Luug', advised me to give 1t trial
We got botte and she began to improve
and by the uzo of three bottles was entirely
cured.n
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
A Little Too Much.

Jones entered his office and sat down
at his desk in a very pronounced and en-
phatic manner.
whats the matteri" inquired his
partner. Something gone wrongl"
Wrong~ repeated the exasperated
man. 81 walked the floor with cry
ing baby from midnight until O'Clock
this morning, and as left the house the
first person l met was Smith, who said
with an idiotc smirk: All old man
you look rather tough. Out with the
boys again last nightF Some men make
me sick, "-DetrOU Post.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

MENsMANs PEPToNIzED BEEF TONIC the only
preparation Object containingts entire nuri-
lio,s properties. 1t contains blood'maklng
force generating and DEMONSTRATING properties
invaluable for indigestion, dyspepsia, nervous
prostration, and all forms OF general debility
also, in all enfeeblod conditions, whether the
result of exhaustion, nervous prostration, over
work or acute disease, particularly il resulting
from pulmonary complaints CAswsll, Hazard &
Co., Proprietors, New York. Soldby druggists
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
Dairymen Prefer II.

MEssRs, WELLS, RICHARDSON & Co.:
Since tho introduction of your Improved
Butter Color among my customers, it has given
universal satisfaction. The leading dairymen
of this section who have used it give it the pre-
ference over all other colors, of whatever
nature.
They are especially pleased with til fact that
it does not become rancid, like other oil colors,
and their product brings highest prices in mar
ket. W, s. NAY, Druggist.
UNDERHILL, VI, April 8, 1882.
Cntarrh OF tho Bladder.
Singing, irritation, Inflammation, all Kidney
and Urinary Complaints, cured by "Buchu-
Paiba." 81.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21

Many a case supposed to be radical lung dis
ease is really one of liver complaint and indi-
gestion, but, unless that diseased liver can be
restored to healthy action, it will so clog the
lungs with corrupting matter as to bring on
their speedy decay, and then indeed we have
consumption, which is scrofula of the lungs
in its worst form. Nothing can be more hap.
than is DR.. Pierce's Golden Medical Dis
coyeryn By druggists
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1885-01-21
MO and Wohash are IN y

- Cancer of the lower bowel some
times results from neglected or badly treated
piles. By our improved methods, without
knife, raistic or salve, we speedily and perma-
nently cure the worst pile tumors. Pamphlet,
references and terms, two letter stamps.
Worlds Dispensary Medical Association, 6tS
Main street, Buffalo, N. Y.