davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
Thanksgiving Day in 1883.

Thanksgiving meant much in the early time of New England, when the very life of the colony might depend upon q showersM rain. On all the coast of New England there is pretty sure to be period Huf. draath in the sum- mer, and this drouth caused the first corners extreme apprehension.
 The soil was light, the sun was burn ing hot, and the discouraged farmers saw the corn upon which their existence depended whitening day by day. One of the old ministers of 1883 wrote in the quaint manner of the period, and not without touch of Yankee humor.
 "The chiefest corn the people planted before they had blows was Indian grain, whoseipcrease is very much beyond all other} to the great refreshing of the poor servants of Christ in their low be- ginnings. All kinds of garden fruits grew very well, and let no man make a jest of pun pkins, for with this fruit the Lord was pleased tc feed His people, tc their good content, till corn and cattle were increased"
 But even pumpkins will not grow without rain. In the summer of 163a tuGTe WaS uIy tlluc So l)loiolSCA oHo so alarming that the people gathered to gether to pray for saving shower. As the wri CT already quoted records, "theA fell down on their knees," and urged il as "a chief argument that the malig nant adversary would rejoice in thei' destruction.'
 The answer promptly came: GAS they poured out water before the Lord, SO at that very instant, the Lord showcreo down water on their gardens and fields and, as the drops from heaven fel thicker and faster, so the tears iron their eyes, by reason Of the suddel mixture of joy ani sorrow"
 To crown their happiness, "whoi' shiploads of mercies" arrived from be yond the seas. In gratitude for this tor rent of blessing, tine seven churches O New England appointed the sixteenth day of October as a Day of Thanksgiv ing and Praise. Thanksgiving was nc mere form. :" hey took up the cup 0 thanksgiving, and paid their vows te the Most High"
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

The steamboat mail lines upon which postal clerks were employed were considerably reduced during the year, owing to the changes and ex- tensions in railroad and star service routes.
 The decreases shown are as follows:
 In number Of lines. ...,....;;...... In number of clerks employed upon
 In miles of route run by clerks. ....... S29 In annual miles of service performed by
 In number of mail apartments ........ 23
 The total length of steamboat routes in oper- ation June 30, 1SS6, was 5, ,951 miles.
 CLOSED POUCH SERvIcE.-The increase ln the number of closed pouch lines, or lines upon which no postal clerks were employed, was l9 The number of pouches exchanged daily was 1O,957, an increase of 1,210.
 The number of case examinations held dur ing the year was II ,075, of these ,962 were of permanent clerks, and 5, 113 of probationary enpoyes The permanent employees handled 6512, ,l3O cards, of which S1.61 per cent. were correctly distributed. The probationers handled 4,O32, ,67S, with 76.71 per cent. correct.
 The aggregate number of cards handled by both classes was 10, CO., sos, with 79 76 per cent correct. better showing by IFS per cent. than that of last year.
 The number of probationary appointees in the service was 1,516, as against $40 during the previous year, decrease of 124. In handling the 5,S29, 521 ,475 pieces of mail matter dis tributed during the year 1,26O, AS errors were committed, being one error to every 4,22s pieces handled.
 A number of improvements have been made in the t'Fast Mail" service, which, though seemingly unimportant in themselves, have re- suited in greatly improving the mail facilities in various sections of the country; for instance, reduction of two hours has been made in the time in transit between New York and St. Louis 50 that mail now leaving New York in the evening arrives at St. Louis at 5.45 a.m., instead of at 7.45 a.m., thereby catching the first trip of the carriers in the city, and rem dering certain the important connection West and South. Limited express trains between Chicago, St. Paul and Minneapolis have been utilized, and the service between those thriving cities, as well for nearly the entire States of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Dakota is material ly expedited. Mails now leaving Chicago at 7.3O pm. arc placed in St. Paul in time for early morning delivery instead of at p.m., as formerly.
 Another change of importance is the recent extension of the ''Fast Mail' via the Atlantic EsCoast Line from Jacksonville to Tampa, Fla, e&41. 5 miles. This makes continuous Fast Mail EService from New York to Tampa, covering a distance of l, 1926 miles, and greatly expediting the mails for South Florida and Cuba.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
AN EARTHQUAKE SHOCK.
The South Once More Disturbed by
 Seismic Shocks.

CHARLESTON, s. C., Nov. 6, 1S66.-At twenty six minutes past twelve o'clock yesterday Charleston was visited by the liveliest earth quake shock 1t has experienced for over two weeks but as compared to the destructive visi- tation of August 31 it was about as one to one thousand. The direction of the wave was from south to north, and its duration is var- ously estimated at from thirty-tive to forty-tive seconds. It had compound motion up and down and from side to side, and shook all the buildings in the city very perceptibly. The although 1t made everybody nervous, 1t did not interrupt the course of business or stop tho work of reparation which is going on all over the city.
 All the schools were in session, and in two of the colored public schools there was what narrowly escaped being panic. At the Mor- ris Street school, temporarily occupying old Bethel Church, a little colored child jumped out of a window and was seriously bruised. At the Shaw School two children were slightly injured in the crush, but nowhere was the in- jury to person or property serious. At one of the schools a teacher fell on her knees and began to pray, when one of the pupils laughed at her. The teacher could not stand this and speedily came back to proper conception of her duty by giving the pupil two demerit marks. The people in King street ran out of the stores into the street. but as soon as 1t was known there was no danger every one laughed heartily at their fears, and the city soon settled down to it's accustomed spirit of confidence and hope.
 The shock was not, however, confined to Charleston. It was se,serey felt at Summer vile, Walterboro, Laurens, Chesterfield, Orangeburg and at other points in this State, but no damage Is reported from any place or section,
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
WOMEN AS HIGHWAY ROBBERS.
The Story Which Cnnsed tho Arrest ol
 two Gay Femalcs.

A dispatch from Rome, N. r., says
 A story of attempted highway robbery,
 in which two women were the actors, is the sensation of the hour in this part of the State. The persons implicated are Mrs. Susan Scoville, young widow,
 who tends canal lock, eight miles north of this city, and Miss Mary Jane Dunn, dashing girl, barely 20 years old. The scene Of the all ged crlme is on road between here and Boonville, the loneliest and most desolate public highway in Oneida County. The com plainants in the case are Hugh Dorrilty, Luther Jones and Miss Jones. Their story is that, while driving from Hill | side, one dark night last month. to their home in North Western, their horse was suddenly halted at a point about midway between the two villages ill lonely spot on the west side of Pad docks Woods. A revolver, they say, was presented at their heads and they were commanded at the peril of their lives, to deliver up whatever money or valuables they had on their persons. Two mounted figures, apparently those of men, could be distinguished in the darkness, one at the side of the car riage and the other standing directly across the roadway at their horse s head. Dorritty protested that he and his com. panions had neither money nor valua- bles. He gave h s name to the seeming highwavmen, and lighted match to disclose his identity. The carriage was finally allowed to pass on after the oc- cupants had been warned to keep the fact that they had been stopped on the I highway close secret. Dorritty claims that when he lighted the match he got good look at the supposed highway men, and that despit the fact that they were dressed partly in male attire he recognized them as Mrs. Scoville and the Dunn girl.
 After waiting more than month he swore out a warrant for the arrest, and they were taken into custody last Friday evening. On being arraigned tn y pleaded not guilty, and gave bail in 1000 each to appear for examination before Justice Haynes at North West
 ern. Both women make light of the affair, and say it was simply Ia little lark" Their story is that on the even ing in question they got couple of horses In pasture, mounted them bare back, and rode from Hillside to Mort l Western, distance of six miles. They had no garment of mems wear, except hats, the, claim. On he home journey they heard a carria coming and con suited as to the best means of passing it and avoiding the ditch. Dorritty must have heard their voices, as he called out: "Is that you, Mary Jane?" She then asked: "Is that you Hugh Dorritty?" Then, Mrs. Scoville says, the Dunn girl reined her steed in front of Dorritty's horse and stopped him,
 while she rode up and 6emanded that he Ii ht match so that she could dis tlnguish him. Both women say they had no revolvers, made no demand for money or valuables, and meant no harm. Their arrest has caused great exciteme-t t all over the county.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
DESPERATE FIGHT WITH
 ~ TRAMPS.
Revolvers and Knives at Work-Four Citizens Wounded-Despera
 Captured.

AWHILE, Pa, Nov 6, 1SS6.-A gang of ten desperate tramps, full of liquor, came into the village late last night, entered the saloon of Peter Bachman, and, with chairs and spittoons, made general assault on the proprietor and a few other men who were there. In short time the place was wrecked and footed. An alarm summoned fifty determined citizens, who came armed. The half drunken assailants were like wise armed with revolvers and knives, and desperate conflict at once opened between them. Notwithstanding the great odds against the rioters, they kept ill solid body and fired several rounds into the citizens and then at- tackled with knives. Five men were seriously cut and otherwise wounded.
 Adam Bishop, Q citizen, received severe slash with razor on the cheek, his assailant having made a frightful lunge at his throat with his deadly weapon; Henry Herr was stabbed in the breast; Adam Johnson was wounded in the head, and Thomas Jennings received an ugly gash in the head.
 Two of the tramps were shot and captured They gave their names as Hartung and Seneft. They are desperate looking, dark skinned Ger mans. The latter had been arrested ten days ago by County Detective Kershner, after being brought down with revolver. He escaped however, and late last night, when Constable Bodenhorn took them to the Lebanon jail Seneft once more escaped. His wound in the shoulder proved no obstacle to his running and he escaped in the darkness. The other desperado, who was wounded in the hip, was locked up. The balance of the gang escaped to the woods.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
Hindu Child Marriages.

It is essential for the honor of Hindu
 family of good caste, says writer in a contemporary, that it soould contain no
 unmarried daughter of mature years.
 The existence of such daughter IS not
 only social disgrace, but a religious crime. When, therefore, female infant is born, the first idea If her fathers mind is not one of pleasure, nor perhaps of very active regret, but simply how to l find husband for her. It is not neces- sary that she should become wife in our sense of the word. It sutfices that she should be given in marriage, and go through the ceremony of the Seven Steps, which completes the religious rite. Aged Brahmans, of good family still go about the country marrying for a pecuniary consideration, female infants whom they sometimes never sec again. Within the memory of men still living this abominable practice was q flourish ing trade. A Kulin Brahman, perhaps white haired, half blind, and decrepit, went the round of his beat each spring, going through the ceremony of marriage with such female infants as were offered, and pocketing his fee and perhaps never TcCuTucu tO C-c ClIllu AouoS- oo Aoh Ss as he lived she could marry no other man; when he died she became widow for life. The Hindu child widow is looked upon as thing apart md ac. cursed, bearing the penalty in this world for sins she has committed in a past existence. Her hair is cut short, or hel head is shaved altogether; she exchanges her pretty childish clothes for the widows coarse and often squalid garment; she is forbidden to take part in any village festival or family gathering; the very sight of her is regarded as an ill omen.
 b CT natural woman's instincts arc starved into hamilton by constant lasts sometimes prolonged to seventytwo hours. Amid the genial and brightly-colored life of the Hindu family she fits about dis
 arrayed, silent, summed, disfgured - in some parts of India, a hideously bald object = forbidden all joy and all
 hope. There are hundreds of thousands of widows in India who have acquiesced in their cruel lot. They accept with 6 pathetic faith and resignation the priest
 ly explanation which is given to them
 They penitently believe that they art explating sins committed in past life
 and they humbly trust that their purify
 ing sorrows here will win a reward il the life to come.-London St andard
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
THANKSGIVING PROCLAM NATION
The President Fixes the Date of the
 Great American Holiday.

 WASHINGTON, Oct 31, 1SS6.-The following ir President Clevelands proclamation designating Thursday, November 25, as day of Thanks. giving and prayer:-
 PROCLAMATION.
 By the President Of the United States. It has long been the custom of the people of the United States, on day in each year especi- ally set apart for that purpose by their Chief Executive, to acknowledge the goodness and mercy of God and to invoke his continued care and protection.
 In observance of such custom I, Grover Cleveland, President of the United States, dc hereby designate and set apart Thursday, the 18th day of November, inst, to be observed and kept as day of thanksgiving and prayer. On that day let all our people forego their accustomed employments and assemble in theil usual places of worship to give thanks to tho Ruler of the Universe for our continued en- joyment of the blessings of Q free government, for renewal of business prosperity through out our land, for the return which has re- warded the labor of those who till the soil, and for,our progress as a people in all that makes 8 nation great.
 And while we contemplate the infinite power of God in earthquake, flood and storm, let tho grateful hearts of those who have been shielded from the harm through His mercy be turned in sympathy and kindness toward those who have suffered through His visitations. Let us also in the midst of our thanksgiving remember lne poor dllu uetuy Wltu CuceIluI gifts and aims, so that our service may, by deeds of charity, be acceptable in the sight of the Lord.
 In witness whereof have hereunto set
 my hand and caused the seal of the
 United States to be affixed. Done
 at the city of Washington this first
 day of November, in the year of ,-, our Lord one thousand eight hun SEAL dred and eighty-six, and of the t- Independence of the United States
 of America the one hundred and
 eleventh.
 GROVER CLEVELAND. By the President, T. F. BAYARD, Secretary of State.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
THE RAILWAY MAIL SERVICE. What the Department is Doing in
 the Way of Rapid Transit.

Col. John Jameson, the r---ral Superin- tendent of the Railway Mail Service, has com pleted his annual report for the fiscal year end cd June 80, 1886, which may be summarized as follows:
 At the close of the year the railway post office lines in operation numbered S71, occupying 4S5 whole cars and l, ,769 apartments i'll cars. The aggregate length of railroad routes over which miles of railroad service performed by clerks was 100, 923, ,910.
 The increase in the more important items embraced in the principal table of the report are shown in the following abstract of the same:
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
A Double Tragedy.

WnKEsBARRE, Pa., Oct. 30, 1SS6.-A double tragedy occurred at the Bennett slope colliery, near Kingston. William Moses, one of tho oldest mining engineers in Luzerne county, was on duty at this colliery. He was given of the shaft which was 800 feet deep. He SUD- posed everything was clear below and started his engine just as John Brodda, the footman, was running car upon the cage. The sudden hoisting threw Brodda off, and in falling he was caught between the stage and the brattice on the side of the shaft and was instantly killed. As soon as Engineer Moses was in- formed of what had happened he walked to his room near by, took revolver from his coat pocket, and, placing it to his forehead, tired, killing himself.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
Sore Eyes

The eyes are always in sympathy with the body, and afford an excellent index of Its condition. When the eyes become weak, and the lids inflamed and sore, it is an evidence that the system has become disordered by Scrofula, for which Ayers Sarsaparilla is the best known remedy.
 Scrofula, which produced painful in- hammation in my eyes, caused me much suffering for a number of years. By tho advice of a physician commenced taking Ayers Sarsaparilla. After using this medicine short time was completely
 Cured
 My eyes are now in splendid condi- tion, and am as we'll and strong as ever. Mrs. William Gage, Concord, N. H.
 For a number of years was troubled with humor in my eyes, and was unable to obtain any relief until commenced using Ayers Sarsaparilla. This medi- cine has effected a complete cure, and I believe 1t to be the best of blood puri- fiers--C. E. Upton, Nashua, N. H.
 From childhood, and until with a few months, I have been afflicted with Weak and Sore Eyes. I have used for these complaints, with beneficial results, AycE SaISdpdTiilb, duk COuSlueE lt u great blood purifier. - Mrs. c. Phillips, Glover, Vt.
 I suffered for a year with inflamma- ton in my left eye. Three ulcers formed on the ball, depriving me of sight, and causing great pain. After trying many other remedies, to no purpose, I was final- ly induced to use Ayers Sarsaparilla.
 By Taking
 three bottles of this medicine I have been entirely cured. My sight has been re- stored, and there is no sign of inflamma- ton, sore, or ulcer in my eye. Kendall T. Bowen, Sugar Tree Ridge, Ohio.
 My daughter, ten years old, was afflict- ed with Scrofulous Sore Eyes. During the last two years she never saw light of any kind. Physicians of the highest standing exerted their skill, but with no permanent success. On the recommen- dation of a friend purchased bottle of Ayers Sarsaparilla, which my daughter commenced taking. Before she had used the third bottle her sight was restored. Her cure is complete. w. E. Suther- land, Evangelist, Shelby City, Ky. Ayers SarsapariIIa, Prepared by Dr. J. c. Aver & Co.,, Lowell, Mass. Sold by all Druggists. Price sli six bottles, t3,
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
The Oleomarrartne Bill.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-The oleomargarine law went into effect on Monday, and the In- ternal Revenue Bureau have completed all the arrangements necessary for it's enforcement. The demand for stamps has been very great, ard the indications are that large amount of the commodity will be put on the market next week. The production of oleomargarine for domestic consumption is estimated by Com missioner Miller at the rate of 100, 1000 900 pounds year, and the amount exported is slso believed to be very large.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
NO ASSESSMENTS.

Anyone insuring therefore for the curren, year will only be required to pay . cash pre- mium, which will cover all liability. In case of loss 1t Is provided in the charter That lift cannot be amicably adjusted, it shall be referred to two disinterested persons, one to be.ohosen by each party, and if they cannot agree, they shall choose third, and the de- cision thus rendered shall be final.
 Information and circulars may bs obtained by addressing
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
AOO,OOO Subscribers.

If we gave a column to the Youths Compdn- ion Announcemcnt, we could scarcely enume- rate the attractions it promises for its siXty-rst panion provides something of interest for every member of the family. Tho Compdnton is published weekly, and fully illustrated. Its subscription price is Sl.75 a year, which, if sent now, will pay for tho paper to January, lSSS
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

for your labor and more can be earned in q short time if you at onca write to HaSlett < Co.,, Portland, Maine, for information about work which you can do and live at home what. over your locality, at profit of from $5 to S2, and upwards daily. Some have made ove, $50 in day. All is new. Hallett X Co. will
 start you. Capital not required. All ages
 Both sexes. All particulars free. Those who are wise will write at once and learn for them. selves. Snug little fortunes await every
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

bright three-year-od Dansville girl was being scoded by her mother for making such frequent use of the ejaculation, "l won't 'sIt is not nice, ," said the mother, 'and don't want you to say it any more." The little one looked up with twinkle in her merry eyes, and said: .sWell mamma, 1 won't"
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

Mir. Arthur ShurtleT, Parker, Dakota.writcs that he suffered for two years with a iam' knee, wh;c was entirely cured by the use of St. Jacobs Oil. He considers it most won- dcrful remedy. It conQuers pain.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
Mir. l.. D. Vinson. Cashier D. & l. R. R., has
 tried and endorses Red Star Cough Cure.

Wife, reading aloud from newspapar - "'He finally perished at sea-" Husband, musically incllued-' Pcrished at c, did he We'll the wonder is that he didn't go to pieces sooner, for not one tenor in thousand cail sustain a tone higher than or B flat at the most"
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

Forty-two new chemical clements have been discovered in the, e,I1ast ten years. Five cent whisky is one of, them.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

A superior hair dressing. Always safe and beneficial to use. Halls Hair Remover,
 The Gangers of c1oup may be averted by using Ayer's Cherry Pee oral.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
S1,OOO RevynrJ

The sea serpent and Wiggins havo gone into retirement together The former swallowed the latter and then oblivion swallowed both.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
ELY'S Cream Balm.

H is 'rpnderful ho,o quick Ely's Cream Bdln, has helped and cured me. I suffered iron, acute infdnlnndtion in my nose and head. For q toeeh' dt q time I could not see.-M r s . Georgie s. Jufson, HnrtfGrd, Conn.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

RELIEF Is immediate. and a euro suro, Piso's Remedy for Catarrh. 5Oc.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
WASHING TON ITEMS.

The reduction of the public debt during October was very nearly Sl2, 2,0OO,OOO.
 The Treasury Department has remitted the fine of $500 imposed on the British schooner Alba for entering the port of Port land, Me-, without manifest.
 Tho government receipts during the first four months of the present fiscal year ended to-day were S127, S44 ,336, being $14, 16S, ,S91 in excess of the receipts during the corresponding period of last Tss ss during ing S11 ,91S 451 less than the expenditures during the same period of last year.
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10

WAS it Mrs Malaprop who referred to one of her acquaintanccs as ''poly- pon of perfection'?
Connecticut western news., 1886-11-10
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Fast Africa advices say that the King of Inhambane twice repulsed the King of Muzilla at the head of thirty thousand men, and in third attack the latter was defeated by sixteen thousand Portuguese and natives under the command of the Governor of Mozambique assisted by European military and naval oh4 clIB.