davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Emperor Kwang on His Travels.

When the emperor Kwang Su left Picking lately to visit the eastern tombs there were at least 1000 persons in the procession. The emperor was borne in chair with sixteen bearers, who are trained to their work, and all tall men of the same height, and are forbidden to smoke, cough or spit, nor must they utter even whisper. The emperor sat in a glass chair. There is single large sheet of plate glass on each side, through which he could be seen distinctly. When the procession left the palace gates it entered upon carefully levelled road, covered with yellow earth on which not stone or stick could be seen. A troup of about fifty horsemen, distrib- utcd before and behind the emperor, rode on in good order, there being no sound heard but the tramp of the horses feet. No one was allowed to be in the streets except persons having duties connected with the imperial progress, but all along the way small holes were perforated through the shop shutters, and thousand eyes were watching to catch sight of the Son of Heaven and of the empress in their yell low chairs. To those outside the city more liberty is allowed. The people are permitted to look on, but they must kneel at distance of not less than twenty or thirty yards from the emperor. -N0rth China Herald.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Tom Corwin's Reply.

Once Tom Corwin, who was pitted against Shannon, was in Q stage riding to some point where he was to prosecute his canvass. On the way a lady, who, by the way, was none other than Mrs. Shannon, entered the stage. She did not know Corwin wien she saw him. Mrs. Shannon carried b., v in her arms and Corwin took the child from her as she was about to step into the stage. He placed the little one on his lap and retained it there, amusing it in gentle, kindly manner until tae lady reached her home. Corwin got out and entering the house, carried the little fellow to a bed and laid him down on the flat of his back. As he turned to the lady to bow his farewell slc asked him to whom was she indebted for so much kindness and courtesy. "rhomas Corwin, at your service, madame" was the reply, "and l intend to lay your husband out at the next election as flat as I have just laid your son on his back. "-Neao Tork Mait and ErDress
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Queer Justice.

Irelated story ofa Hungarian justice, doubtless of oriental origin, says the Hon. S. S. Cox in the New York Sun, describing a conversation in Turkey. In the interior of that country Turkish agent was sent to buy cavalry horses to recruit for the then probable war with Bulgaria and Greece. While there the ageut desired that the proprietor of the village with whom he was contracting should show him specimen of the Hun garian mode of proceeding.
 ''Wait few moments" said the pro- prietor, who was also magistrate, "and I will see who is in the town jail"
 Calling his constable he was informed by that officer that a goose thief had been apprehended during the night and was in confinement. He sent for the criminal.
 "Are there any witnesses" asked the judge.
 "Two," was the answer; ''the man who owned the goose aud man who saw the theft"
 After hearing the evidence the judge, in his fierce and harsh Hungarian Fin. nish- -Tartaric) tongue, called up the cul- prit and said: "You have been found guilty and I fine you ten kreutzers and ten days imprisonment for stealing the goose"
 Thereupon he summoned the owner of the bird and said: q fine you ten kreut. gers and ten days Imprisonment for al- lowing your goose to be stolen"
 To the witness he said: "Sirrah, I fine you ten kreutzers and ten days impris. onment for not minding your own busi. ness."
 Hilma Effendi then remarked that al most an odd case recently came before one of the courts of Stamboul. A credi tor came to the judge to have a note sued. It was for 150O piasters, and due three years hence. The judge ordered the suit, but condemned the creditor te confinement for three years, 'For," said his honor, Chow do know where yor will be three years hence, so as to pa, you over your piasters, unless hold you!'
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

Investigations arc still going on, par ticularly in France, with view to utiliz- ing the heat of the sun as source of power and warmth. One of the most in teresting and practicable methods in this tine is that devised some time ago by Prof. Morse of Salem, Mass, the limita- tions of which, it is hopcd, may be over- come by future improvements. This device consists simply of shallow box, the bottom of which is of corrugated tron, and the top of glass. Thisis placed outside the building in such a position that the sun shines directly upon it, the heat rays of the sun pass through the glass, and are absorbed by the iron, heating it to quite a high temperature, and, by a system of ventilation, current of air is passed through the apparatus and into the room to be heated. By this means the air was heated, on pleasant days, to about ninety degrees in passing over the iron. It is admitted, however, that the chief difficulty in all these methods of solar heating, as substitute f the ordinary or artificial means, is yet to be overcome, being available only in fair weather, though, in connection with the customary system, solar apparatus may effect saving in the quantity of fuel usually consumed.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Had Been in Tho Preserves Too.

A certain widow lady owned a parrot, and being absent from home one day, the said parrot got into her jar of pre- serves, and ate them all up. The widow on coming home, discovered the mischief, and was so indignant at the "Pretty Poll' that she caught up kettle of hot water and threw it upon it. The opera tion robbed it of its bright plumage, and left it in state of nudity.
 It went skulking aroun1 for several days, quite Respondent and ashamed, when presently the widows beau-an old widower, who like "Poor old Uncle Ned, had no hair on the top of his head" came to see her.
 The parrots spirits frightened mp i'm. mediately on seing the old gentleman's bald pate: and in a tone of joy it ex. claimed:
 "Eh, you've been in the preserves, tooY-Boston Post.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
The Parachute.

The parachute is huge umbrella pre- senting surface of sufficient dimensions to resist the pressure of the air enough 50 that descending weight shall not move downward with greater velocity than safety requires. In the east it is sometimes used by jumpers to enable them to jump from lofty heights. Father Loubere in an account of Siam, writes that man famous in that country for bis feats was accustomed to amuse the royal court by jumping from high places with two umbrellas, with long slender handles fastened to his girdles.
 The first parachute constructed for an aeronaut, in case of accident, was made by Blanchard. In 1785 he let down 8 parachute with basket containing dog from great height which reached the ground in safety. The first man to try descent by this method was Jacques Garnerin, October %, 1797. He came down all right. A niece, Eliza Garnerin, made several descents, having large orifice in the top of the parachute to check the oscillation.
 MT. Cooking was the next to try. His parachute was made wedge-shaped, and was intended to cleave through the air instead of offering resistance to it. On July 20, 1887, MT. Cooking went up in the great Nassau balloon, and when his parachute was liberated from the balloon with the inventor in it the apparatus col lapsed and came down at terrible rate. MT. Cooking died.
 MT. Hampton made several successful descents, once attaining m altitude of nearly two miles. He described his feel ing at first as both unpleasant and alarm ing. His eyes and the top of his head seemed forced upwards, but the sensation soon passed way. The descent was slow and steady and the earth seemed to be coming up while the parachute was stationary. .-Boston Globe.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
DislIkoS of Bees.

A correspondent of the Bee Journal writes that a brood of chickens were in the habit of frequenting the shed in which he kept his bees. The bees stune all the dark colored ones to death, yet did not molest the light-colored chicks. Why the preference7~ The editor writes that he has frequenely spoken of the ad. vantage of wearing light clothes among the bees. We wear black bee veils be- cause we cannot see clearly through any other color. Woolly, fuzzy, and dark materials arc objected to by bees. A man with plug hat on rarely gets stung, unless by bee that is trying to ''shoot the hat" aims too low and hits the face by mis ake, while a companion at a suitable distance is perfectly safe.
 Le,oistop (Me. Journal.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

Recent experiments seem to justify the belief that sponge-raising in the waters of Long Island Sound is likely to become an important industry in the near future. There are at present several varieties of native sponges in the Sound waters, and the frequent finding of them by men who dig for round clans, has induced scien- tific men to plant young sponges from Florida waters off Stratford Point, Conn. 1, where there is long reef of submerged rocks of a nature suitable for sponge growing. These transplanted animals have lived and fourished rapidly, grow ,ng to the size used in commerce. Their quality is somwhat coarse, but the lower grades are quite as profitable othe dealer as the imported article, as the former are used in much larger quantities.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
BerthS in SlceDIng Cars.

A physician, referring to the custom of travelling on sleeping cars with the berths made up with their heads towards tho engine, said: "It is certainly bad for the brain of the sleeper as it is not natural, and it is no wonder that so many travel CTS, especially those who have been on the road exclusively, experience bad ef- fleets from it. Take infants in baby ear riages and no sane woman will think of trundling the vehicle along so the child goes head first. They always except the young and inexperienced mother push them along feet first. Physicians invariably advise such locomotion. It is the same thing on the cars, and no ono should hesitate about having his berth made up so as to move along feet first. It is much better for the brain. n."--&. Raul Glo6ss
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
A Reporting PhOnOgrNph.

Some electricians in this city have been at work several months to perfect photograph which can be used with such accuracy as to be an aid in report ing with precision the proceedings ot courts and publc assemblies. It is said that state of perfection has already been attained which will warrant the in- troduction of this instrument in courts of justice.
 When the photograph isperfectit will be great assistance to stenographic re- ports in one way, and great rival and hindrance in another. One of the ma chimes can be taken into court, for in- stance, and all of the proceedings will be recorded by it. At the close of the day it can be carried to a room and gauged to talk at any rate of speed, at thirty words a minute for in- stance, which can be written out by an ordinary shorthand writer. If it is desired to get the proceedings transcribed as fast as they occur new cylinders are put in the photograph as fast as the proceedings are written out. For in stance, the longhand writers can put in a cylinder and let it remain ten minutes !; then take it out and put in another and transfer the cylinder which has the pro- ceedings upon it to another instrument, and it is made to repeat the proceedings with accuracy, and at the expiration of it's term is replaced in the photograph, and the other cylinder taken fromit, and so on. One of the great difficulties the scientists have encountered is in securing the distinction of tone in voices. Here tofore the photograph has not been suf- 6ciently distinct to enable a person to distinguish one voice from another, if they are similar in volume and tone. It is believed, however, that the instrument will be perfected within 8 short time SC that anyone who has heard number of voices in room can readily distinguish them from the sounds the photograph will give out. It is the distinguishing of one voice from another which gives the names of the speakers. For instance, if the photograph is used to record the proceedings of a legislature, it will not, of course, have the names of the persons participating in the debate, and the per sons translating from the record of the photograph will have to place the speak CTS by the tones of their voices. It il said that some of the official reporters intend trying the photograph within 6 short time, and determining how it wil operate in public debates.- Washington l Teffer
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
The Strain of City Life:

Read the following facts with regard to Chicago: From 1852 to 1868, popula- tion increased 5.1 times what it was in tho first period. The death-rate in- creased 3.7 times. The deaths from nervous disorders increased 20.4 times. Chicago is perhaps fast place, but the figures are significant of the wear of city life on the nervous system.
 Is not this strain of'the nervous system peculiarly American danger2 To be sure, all brain-workers in all countries are liable to it, but in our country eli matic influences increase the tendency. Under these influences we have developed national characteristics, showing in form and feature. We do things in hurry. We are in haste to get rich. We are in haste to be wise. We have no time for exercise. We have no time for play. Both exercise and play are by serious peo- pie often looked upon as waste of time for adults, however good they may be for children and young people. A boy must be man before his time, and girl must be prim and staid, and must not romp like her more fortunate brothers, but must be sober woman after she has entered her teens. It seems as if the battle of modern life Cat least of modern city life) was battle of the nerves. From nursery to school, from school to college, or to work, the strain of brain goes on, and strain ot nerve-scholarships, examinations, spec ulations, promotions, settlements, stim- ulations, long hours of work, late hours of rest, jaded frames, weary brains, jar ring nerves all intensified by the exigen- cies of our school and city life." The worst of the mischief is, that this strain falls most of all upon those from nature and circumstance least able to bear it. upon our women. Public opinion frowns upon their exercising like men. Yet, with nervous system more sensitive than mans, they need the very exercises (out-of-doors) which, by mistaken pub lie sentiment, they are often forbidden to take. Tho healthy house-work is often deputed to servant either be. cause too hard for our American girls, 0, too much beneath them. .-Popular Science | Monthlu
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Winged Scavengers of the South,

It is against the law in almost every Southern State to shoot turkey buzzard, says a Georgia letter to the New York Sun. There are two excellent reasons for this prohibition: the buzzards are the scavengers of the South, and there is no telling what sort of'a pestilence dead turkey buzzard would bring on if anybody should kill one.
 The turkey buzzard is knowing bird. He knows he is not good to be eaten-though his knowing this does not imply that he has superior knowledge and he is not shy of mankind. He hovers over the market places in the Southern cities, waiting for business to close; and when the crowd of purchasers has departed the buzzard descends and feasts upon the odds and ends that have fallen from the butchers and tishmong- ers' knives. The scarcity of hash, mince pie and fish chowder in the Southern States is something for which the buz- gard should have credit. In Charleston there is big public market down by the water, and the buzzards always clean up after business hours. The wisdom of the turkey buzzard is shown also by one of his expedients for getting rid of work. He goes to the mouths of rivers, where the connecting forces of current and tide deposit on the banks a considerable pro- portion of the carrion and other unwhole- some things that are borne toward the sea on the rivers flood, and there he ac- commodates his not very fastidious ap- petite to the movement of the tides. All animals that perish inland are found by the buzzards. It is even said that f1ocks of these birds will hover for days and nights over horse or COW that is on its last legs.
 The turkey buzzard, despite his for midable look, is harmless bird. Not only does he never strike creature till it is down, but he hardly ever strikes it till it is dead. Buzzard's eggs are not edible. Indeed, it is as much as parent bird can endure to sit over them while matching them, with only two eggs in the nest at that. Even under those conditions the male bird has to take his turn on the nest part of the time in order to let the m aternal buzzard go off and get some fresh air.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

A very strange story comes from the west-strange stories are indigenous to the west-but its authenticity is vouched by the newspapers of Colorado, where the extraordinary thing is said to have happened. A prosperous Coloradoan began, several weeks since, to feel an unusual heaviness in his cheeks, the muscles growing stiff and the skin vis- ibly hardening. His friends were dis posed to be merry over his complaints; but he regarded them as having serious grounds. He steadily grew worse, and, at the end of seven days, both sides of his face had assumed the solidity ot marble. He was unable to hold up his head, so heavy had it become. His eyes took on a stony glitter; his neck grew hard, with other parts of his body, and few days later he died. His attendant physicians consider it a case of veritablc petrifaction, which continued after death until the whole frame seemed to have turned to stone. Taylor was S2 years old. Before he had begun to suffer from the extraor- dinary disease he weighed 16s pounds; four days after his death he weighed moro than 600 pounds. The Denver doctors have put forward various the ories-one to the effect that the phe- nomenon must have arisen from an ex. cess of carbonate of lime in his sys. tem-but none of them explain the matter satisfactorily. Taylor could talk until an hour before his end, and with his latest breath ordered that his body should be sent to the Smithsonian In stitution for scientific examination.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Time Alters All Things.

Clara.-Do you remember Jane Crud- lie, who went to school with us2 Dora.-The girl with the cat-eyes and pug-nose2
 ''Yes."
 Big mouth2"
 "Yes."
 ''No chin, no forehead, red hair, and complexion like half baked brick?" "The same."
 'I should think I did. What a gawk she was. Heard of her latelyq"
 "Ycs; she's the reigning American beauty in Paris this week."- Chicaoo Nesess
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Indian Fishing Spears.

The fishing spears used by the Piute Indians are of peculiar construction. Into the end of pole CT shaft from twelve to fifteen feet in length is insert ed piece of iron or steel wire about as thick as an ordinary lead pencil and about ten inches long; the end of this wire is made quite sharp. Another piece of wire about two inches long forms the barb. One end of this short piece of wire is made very sharp. It is then laid upon the point of the long wire and tightly lashed with a piece of pitched twine. In the centre of the piece of short wire is fastened a string over a foot in length, which is made fast to the shaft of the spear. When fish is struck the point of the spear passes entirely through it's body. In withdrawing it the short wire or barb pulls of, and, turning crosswise, the fish is securely fastened and hangs dangling to the handle of the spear.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

The Agricultural Department at Wash. ington has sent out large quantities of the eggs of the silk worm by mail to all parts of the country. It has now been satisfactorily demonstrated that the leaf of the Osage orange makes as good silk as that of the mulberry. and that the worms will feed upon it and thrive. The Department is in receipt of letters from girls in various parts of the country, say lng that they have made from $20 to k1OO by raising silk in this way.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

The lost ring story comes to hand as usual. This time the scene is laid in Kentucky, where five years ago, William Howe, of Moorefeld, lost his sisters ring while fishing in pond. Not long ago he went shooting bull frogs in the same pond, and while cutting off the hind legs of big one that he had shot, what should he see protruding from the bullet wound in the side of the victim but his sisters long lost ring, with the iden tify- ,ng inscription still quite legible.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

The cannibals in the world may be num- bered by millions. Probably a third of the natives of New Guinea are cannibals; {; 50 are about two-thirds of the occupants of the New Hcbrides, and the same pro. portion of the Solomon Islanders. All the natives of the Santa Cruz group, Admiraltics, Hermits, Labisiade, Engin' ger, D'Enirecasteaux groups arc canni bals, and even some we'll authenticated cases have occurred among the "black felloWsn of Northern Australia,
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

Of the six full generals appointed by the Confederate Congress only two sur vive. These are Joseph E. Johnson, now United States Commissioner of Railways, and G. T. Beauregard, Adjutant- Gen. eral of Louisiana. Of the twenty lieutcn. ant-generals appointed to the provi sional army several are living.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
A Vital Shot.

Gibbs-So the man was killed up at the hotel, was heS
 squibbs-Yes, shot right in the roc tunda.
 Gibbs-Great Scottl No wonder it killed him. That's terrible place to hit . man, Chicago Ramblsr.
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14

In these days when two headed and four-legged chickens arc matched or every farm, it is positive relief to read that Owen Craven of Randolph county, Missouri, has one legged Plymouth Rock chick that is perfectly healthy, and hops about on its one leg with apparent ,,1aocuro
Connecticut western news., 1886-07-14
Reaction,

R66CtI0ns O, bird of mine, with dropping wing, Whence all these notes of sorrowl Thy song but yesterday was glad, And twill be gay tomorrow. Know'st thou not that woe and bliss Hold each alike attractionl That souls as well as matter bow To one law of reactionl One needs must grieve, nor knows tho while, That every note of sa lness Has hidden in its beings depth Its counterpart of gladnesA o, human soul, in darkness now, All hops and comfort scorning, But wait, and 10! within thy sight, The golden bars of morning.