davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
Lightning and Trees.

It is matter of popular belief that
there is less danger for persons who.
happen to be overtaken in thunder
storm if it is accompanied by down
pour of rain than would be the case If
the rain was absent. From the obser-
walton of the effects of the electric
fluid upon trees, there seems to DO
ground for such a belief, as It would
appear, that, where a considerable
amount OF moisture is present, the
lightning is absorbed and conducted
away, without causing any rupture in
the medium through which it passes.
The state of knowledge, however, with
regard to the way in which the fluid
acts upon trees. is in rather an ele-
mentary condition. So far as obser-
vations have gone, it seems pretty clear
that not only does the amount of moist
ure in tree produce an effect. but
also the character of the tree itself,
and the season when it is struck. Az
an example of the way in which moist
ure conducts electricity, the case of an
electrified tropical forest has been
cited, where heavy rains had fallen and
soaked the trees, which then became
charged with electricity. Subsequent
~ a thunderstorm passed over the
electrified trees, which were thus in
duced to part with their store of the
fluid into the cloud above in such q
manner that the phenomenon was visi-
BILE to the eye. As each flash from the
cloud passed, the points of the trees
gradually became aglow, until another
flash relieved them of their superabun-
dant charge.
Some years ago, Prof. Calladon
made minute examination of tall
poplar which had been struck by
lightning in street in Geneva, and
the conclusions at which he arrived
with regard to it support the theory
which has been referred to. .fhese,
briefly, were that the fluid first strikes
the highest branches, especially those
most exposed to the rain, runs through
almost all the smaller branches, until
it reaches the trunk, which, being
much worse conductor, presumably
from Its greater dryness, is generally
ruptured. From this it is argued that
the topmost branches of trees during q
storm would be the safest position,
and it is pointed out that birds in the
branches are seldom killed. A Lom-
hardy poplar, with spring or pool of
water near its base, would, therefore,
form o good lightning conductor il
placed in proximity to building; but
care must be taken that the pool is not
on the opposite side Of the building,
as there is case on record where a
fash of lightning left tree thus situa-
ted, passed through the building, and
entered the water on the other side.
Such cases tend to prove that the con-
dition, character and position of trees
has much to do with the action of
lightning upon them; but as has been
said, the state of knowledge in this
direction is not very much advanced.
It would be interesting if the action of
the lightning-fash upon trees was
more carefully observed, and the re-
suits made public.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
Verify, the Wages Of Sin is Death.

A writer in the Boston Herald tells
OF some Of the devices employed in
England to keep the convicts employed.
The convicts are marched into q
large yard and formed three sides of
square, standing about five feet apart,
facing inward. Near one end of the
line was pyramid of "a pound cannon
balls: In the center Of the square
stood the officer OF guard When all
was ready he gave the order, "One,"
When every man moved sideways five
feet to the right, which brought the
man at the head of the line opposite the
pyramid of balls. "Two." Every man
stopped down without bending the
knees, the first man taking ball from
the pile, the others going through the
motion till a ball reached them.
"Three." The men moved back to their
original places. -Four" They stopped
and placed the ball upon the ground,
not being allowed to drop it. And so
on, the movements continued, the
orders Guickened at the will of the
guard, till the balls were conveyed
through the line and piled up at the
other end. 1t required but few min
utes OF these rapid movements to bring
every man into state of profuse per-
spiration, showing that the labor was of
the severest kind. A short time was
allowed the men to rest, when they
were again called to order, and, by the
same movement, the balls were returned
to their original place, and so on
throughout the day these cannon balls
We're passed forward and back, with no
object only to furnish labor for the men.
In the prisons established upon the
solitary or separate plan, where the con-
victs work in their cells, they have what
they called the "crank labor" an iron
cylinder or drum two feet long and
eighteen or twenty inches in diameter,
resting upon legs. A spindle or shaft
is passed through the drum, with q
crank on one end for turning it. At
tached to the spindle within the drum,
which was filled with sand, were fiat
arms, making it necessary to use con-
siderable force to turn ia dull, heavy
drag. A dial attached to the machine
registered the number of revolutions
the convict had made. From 5000 to
10000 was the usual daily stint. Can
one imagine more terrible situation
for human being to be placed in than
to be shut up alone in cell ten feet
square, and from morning till night
compelled to turn a crank attached to
such an Internal machine, with no re.
suits, nothing accomplished, no object
lno hope except to complete his task, fol
upon that depends his supper of Cruel
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
The Prayer Cure for 1nebriet1.

An Augusta (Ga.) man relates how
he became total abstainer. The story
is ss follows: II was possessed by the
demon Of drink, and no persuasion of
friends or reflections of my own had
any effect in reforming me. One day 1
went to New York bent upon q ire
mendous carouse, and I had it. In
four days I spent $3.50 for liquors of
various kinds, and at the expiration of
that period my besotment may be bet
ter imagined than described. Sudden
~, on the fifth day, while still laboring
under madness caused by alcohol, I e1-
perienced the strangest sensations of
remorse, and spirit was Born in me
to lead q different life. As if super
naturally inspired, I rose trembling
yet determined, from my bed, seized
upon the cut-glass decanters and bot
ties containing the fiery fluid and
smashed them. Amid that uncanny
wreck I raised my hand and eyes to
heaven, swearing that, by Gods grace,
I would never touch another drop Of
any Intoxicating fluid, though my life
depended upon it. Igrew so ill that
doctor called upon me and prescribed
brandy. / would not take it. He said
I would die. / answered that at least
my death should be sober one. After
him, in a providential way, a Califor-
MAN entered my chamber and, divin-
ing the situation, took instant steps to
remedy it. He had me put in Turkish
bath, and then gave me to eat some
dried herb of his region that filled me
with extraordinary warmth, and worked
internally like electric shocks. I rapid
~ regained my health and right senses,
and after testing me severely this mys-
ferrous friend threw in my way several
considerable sums OF money. I have
not taken drop of liquor from that
hour, and though at this moment I am
in pecuniary difficulties, I would not
touch it if any one were to offer me all
this property round about, which is
valued at millions of dollars. Now,
learned afterward that my relatives,
having exhausted all known human
means for my conversion, had resource
to divine aid. Three of my family were
Sisters of Mercy. Appeal was made to
their prayers. They offered up for me
what is known in the Catholic church
as 'novena,' that is, an act of devo
ton lasting nine days. It was on the
ninth day, at the very moment the last
petition was presented beseechingly tc
the Almighty by these holy women,
that, hundreds of miles distant, in the
very midst of my revel, I was, by SUI
pernatural power, led to the destruc'
tion Of my idols and permanent sobriety
which, with heavens help, will never
be violated. When I see other mer
drinking, or when temptation is set be
fore me, I behold the angelic faces O
three religious women, clad in thu
black and white habiliments of theil
order, with one hand on their rosarie'
and the other raised in gentle admoni
ton. Some people call this supersti
ton, but what a saving superstition i
was for mel"
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

was finally explained as follows: A
large eiectro-magnet was put into the
room OF the tortured savant, and its
pole was put close to the wall, against
which stood the piano in the next house.
An electric battery was connected with
the electro magnet. Whenever strong
stream of electricity was turned on its
effect could easily be felt through the
wall by the horizontal steel springs in
the piano, and although the electricity
was not very powerfully felt it was quite
powerful enough to put the piano out
OF tune. Whenever the electric stream
was stopped, which occurred as often
as the victim Of the piano plague went
out, the mystical influence stopped, and
Miss Else could play.-PaU Mall Ga
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
Climatic Alterations.

A writer in the Scientific Ameracay,
argues very ingeniously that by closing
the straits of Belle Isle the climate Of
our Eastern coast could be modified.
His theory is, that, if great portion of
the so-called "cold wall"-the icy cur
rent flowing through the straits to the
southwestward and washing our shores
could be shut off, the whole coast
from Cape Hatteras to Cape Bronson
would be considerable warmer.
The problem Of physical geography
suggested by this theory is highly in
teresting, although, could the scheme
be carried out, it is very doubtful if the
desired effect on our climate would be
appreciable. The water that reaches
our coasts through the straits of Belle
Isle is but very small fraction of the
icy current that sweeps down over the
Newfoundland banks and runs to the
westward till it impinges on the coasts
of Nova Scotia and New England.
Were the Belle Straits, therefore, per-
fectly closed up, the cold currents
reaching the New England coasts would
continue with increase force.
Liz W1lUG LII Uno OCCCICtC)tC 1WCf .
can denies that the effect of the earth's
diurnal rotation on it's axis causes the
Labrador currents westward motion.
But he might as we'll deny that the
westward motion of the trade winds is
due to the same cause. Every drop OF
water in the Labrador current as it flows
south is constantly reaching latitude
having a greater easterly momentum
than that from which it came, and
hence, as DR.. Carpenter says, the whole
current is left behind in the rotation
of the earth i'll consequence of It's def
cheney of easterly momentum" The
motion of the Gulf Stream and of the
waters in all the northern part of the
Atlantic is to the eastward. There is
thus caused depression of the sea
level near the American shore, into
which the whole mass of icy water from
Baffin's Bay ceaselessly trends.
If stone wall could be built in the
sea from bottom to surface and running
from Cape Race to the southern edge
of the Grand Bank, and Belle Isle
Straits could also be closed, we might
suppose that perhaps the theory in
question would then be realized. But
even this is very doubtful. The glacial
water passing round the Newfoundland
sea wall would be drawn to the north
west and west, entering the Gulf of St.
Lawrence and washing, as they now do,
oil our Eastern coasts. York
Herald.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

Alter careful examination ,.a.
port to the manager broken ava naa an 70 re-
we're spinal injuries. eA "''n ana Sc
- was not altogether lisinteros+oa ,>;...
S9.cn prompted me to insist on hav;nop thss
.5urea girl taken to nv honae' Eass ;ao
sue ner dress, fastened around her nal, ~ ~,
ar ssea cord, found tiny package which
could not help somehow corrac+;,.,
a Iel name and the package with mvseif se
s sne was carried up to my house. and for
several days my old housekeeper and d.
y: .otea Inc greater part Of our time IN mrs
ing me sick girl. was fearful that she
wouio De cripple for the rest Of her l;fa
ana 80 L had celebrated Philadalnh;o
PHYSICIAN come down to see her. His on;n-
aon was that she would get quite we'll. and
3, Annette was very pretty; not at all coarse
IN any way. while her conversation in
girl. 80 AAo41' Oh ignorant
For second time, think, 1 was in love.
Once OF Twice l ventured to ask Annette
sou sometnlng OF her parents and of her life.
o W. sne was very reticent and thought /
Iou.u wait TO know. One thing 1 thought
couid not wait for, and that was, Annette
herself: So when she was able to walk
about the house and yard, 2 asked her if
she would not make my home her own. as
my wife. She was profuse in her thanks
LOT my hospitality, but could not saw
Yes" The utmost I could get from her,
was the promise of definite answer in q
day or two.
The second day after that was out all
day on visit to a patient at distant farm
mouse. When l returned I found note
lying on the desk in my office, addressed
to DIR. John Redfeld-mysef. I opened
it and read:
"MY DEAR Doctor: Good-by. have
gone for good, and have taken an unusual
way of thanking you for your kindness.
know You are curious to learn the contents
OF the package around my neck. will tell
you. When struck your village it con.
tanned twenty-five dollars. 1t is now some.
what larger, as 1 have added four hundred
dollars of yours which I managed to take
from your desk. cannot very we'll marry
you, because 1 am married already. Dc
not feel hard toward me-your money ma,
save my husbands life, for he is at presen
very sick in Mexico.
"Once more, good-by, and thanks.
"ANNETTE."
No, 1 am not married, neither have at
tended circus for twenty-five years.
am shy, rather, of woman and circus.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
A New Material for Bonnets.

miranda, my love (hic), there's a
new material been found (hic), for bon
nets"
"What is it. pray?"
"Leathery fungoid. You (hic) soak
it in water and it takes any chic, shape.
A great saving. don't you see?"
Eyes. I've suspicion your head is
made out of it. Go soak it in water.
1t may not alter the shape, but it will
be likely to sober you up o little.
Hold it under the hydrant for an hour
and half, dear. "-Philadelphia Call.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

NEVER be sorry for any generous
thing that you ever did, even if it was
betrayed. Never be sorry that you
were magnanimous if the person was
mean afterward. Neverbe sorry for what
you gave; it was right for you to give,
even if you were imposed upon. You
cannot afford to keep on the safe side
by being mean.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
GOODNIGHT, pApAr'
rv SQUIRE HOBBS.

~. library writing.
tn, thence lu about me has sway:
ls s s. With my pen for scepeer,
e 3; march OF all 1 survey.
ow neacefully sleeping,
sy is nov nov fair bosom the couch,
Nstu,.e eoble goddess, keeps vigil,
Nigh, the tired eye with her touch.
.,.,y rests on the table.
% G e' s,offtly pillows my brow;
bshu ns calmly sit reading
uuslhfF' have finished just now.
tale INV
.,ose ewes will peruse it,
der Mn its words will arouse,
p .sor they'll think Of the author
n, t.a in this humble old house.
,,s NIL this noisy, wild clatter
nieasIm nv sweet silence affright2
do f.s NV boys, tho dear darlings,
e s to kiss papa goodnight.
,outs of glad glee and loud laughter,
su .ad in their snowy white gowns,
s!t n,o little angels OF gladness,
e ."noth papa's wrinkles and frowns.
49,, with MS hZuIe oyeS opnAh 1uH,
~ as,e Mi 40 handsome and bright,
IL Hi his soft arms now entwining,
e ihovfully, Papa, gcod-nightl'
or;e1 quickly comes toddling,
fnyiusiy clasping my knee,
M M in my face, sweetly lisping
~ u night, pwitty papa, tiss moi
,raerly lifting the prattlers,
~ .i' them in fondest embrace,
zach little beggar gladden.
Kissing each bright, pretty face.
marley, the dear little baby,
lille to speak his delight.
amma's arms gleefully growing.
II ewes says glorious Goodnight"
,r,ie NV darling, bends DER me,
t;1e baby she holds for a kiss;
inns caressing our baby,
TX n kiss on her lips not amiss.
cavlv they go, and departing,
ITe me all alone in my den;
iully know they are with me,
4 lend renewed force to my pen.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

A CERTAIN sort of tobacco blindness
is on the increase. The Lowell Citizen
says that the victim is so affected that
he can't see that he is putting smoke
right into the face of the person near
est him.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

A SCOTCH minister, in one OF his;
parochial visits, met cowboy, and.
asked him what O'clock it was. About:
twelve, sir" was the reply. Well"
remarked the minister, II thought it
was more" tits never any more
here" said the boy; 1T just begins at
one again."
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

no." snappishly said the summer
clearinghouse keeper to Mrs. Culture,
OF Boston, who was inquiring as to the
healthfulness of the locality: mo, we
amt got no typhoid germs, and there
hain't been no calls for 'em, either.
Folks is wanting everything nowadays,
and amt satisfied with clean beds and
plenty of what's good to eat. "-Ne.o
York Mail and Cypress.
In Germany the Jews were long con-
sidered the serfs of the Emperor. In
England they were frequently held in
common servitude. In France they
were at times banished in a body, and
many were put to death with tortures.
Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17

rite his|
Pnanuen|
hiinseli.1
Id it. so |
isis, anQI
'EThatsl
kind1,, ]
Yer dietI
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22
ANOTHER FREsH CHAPLAIN.
How a Senator from Kentucky Sat Down
on Rhetorical Prayer.

Washington cor. C6ica5o Inter- Oce1n.
Old GOV. McCreery was not religious
man and did not have much respect tor
religion. He preferred race horse to a
church, and a mint julep to hymn book.
One morning Mr.. sutherland, who was
the Chaplain OF the Senate. had some dis
unguished divine as guest and invited
him TO otliciate IN his place on that day.
The stranger, not having ever enjoyed the
honor before, thought be would make the
most OF the case, aud delivered a very fer
vent PRAYER. which was intended Tor the
spiritual benetitoi the Senators. There was
more truth than commitment in his utter
ancss. and at the conclusion OF his prayer
Senator McCreery sent to the Clerk s desk
a resolution.
Mr.. Mcdonald. who was then Chief
Clerk of the Senate, always read over
documents u himself carefully, before be
reported them 10 the Senate. and it was
fortunate that he had this habit in this
case. He took the resO utiOn which Mr..
McCreery sent to the desk, read it over,
c0lored up TO his ears, and, turning
around, held a whispered conversation
with Mr. Ferry. who was in the char.
Sir. Ferry declared at once that the reso-
luton Of the Senator from Kentucky was
not no order. Mr.. McCreery demanded
thar il should be read, and there was a
little breeze in which the Chair con-
quered, as he usually does on such occa-
slOns.
Several Senators rushed up to the desk
10 see what the paper was about. and it
was afterward passed around quite free
". 1t was series OF whereases which
set forth that the gentleman no had Just
occupied the floor did not address bis re-
marks to the President OF the Senate. as
required by the rules, but to a being not
recognized by the constitution OF the
United states, and entirely unknown to
that body.
Nv HEREAs, In the remarks Of the gem
tleman he asserted that the Senate Of the
United states was composed Of men who
were weak and sinful, and wanting in
Christian grace; and
"W HEREAS, If these remarks were
true, the persons so described were unfit
to represent the several states or to frame
laws for the people; therefore, ne it
"ReSOiUed, That the Committe on Priv
ileges and Elections be instructed to sunni
mon before them at once the person who
mad offered the PRAYER, and compel him to
prove the truth OF his assertions or retract
them,O
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22

From the Baltimore Sun.
els 1t true" was asked one OF our best
known mOdistes, ''that tight lacing is COM
ing into fashion agaiu?"
''Yes, 1t is true. You see il is fashlona-
bic for ladies' TO be broad-shOuldered and
small-waisted, and customers Of mine,
whose clothes | used to make from TWEEN
ty-three to twenty-seYen inches, waist
measure, now havesthem fully five inches
smaller. Only year ago a natural
waist, measuring say from twenty-five to
tWenty-seven inches, was considered
graceful and pretty, while 1t really is. but
now 1t is not fashionable TO measure more
than from eighteen to twenty-three. OF
course the laclng IS done by means Of the
corset, but sometimes / nearly break nv
fingers trying TO ii and close basques that
are so tight they will not meet without an
effort. While everything must be very
tight in the waist, breadth and fullness
about the shoulders and bust are striven
after, as they serve by contrast TO iuter ST.
fY the seeming smallness of the waist.
Do use paddingY Oh, yes; lots of it. The
hOllows between the shoulders and under
the arms are filled cut with it., and in
some cases one whole shoulder is made of
it, notably where one shoulder is higher
than the other. Everything must fit
SKIN tight these days, and if one has not a
good figure it must be made good. A IA
vOrite method OF procedure is to fiji first
on the figure a lining. on which the figure
is built out with cotton wherever needed.
over this is fitted a second lining and then
comes the dress material"
Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-22
THE ENCOURAGEMENT CABLES
6reat Success Of the BOnapza Mans
Ocean Telegraph Lines.
from Washington Letter.

from Washington Letter.
BONANZA Aackay, am told, Is succeed
ing FAR beyond his hopes in the manage.
ment Of DTS cable lines and the Postal
Telegram company. He will sail in a
day or TWO Tor Europe, but is now giving
his time every day TO his rapidly-increas.
ing business. A gentleman who ia init
mately associated with Mackav saws his
cable company is earning $3,700 day.
and. as soon as the overland line TO New
Orleans is built, Will increase this TO
$1,000 a day. New Orleans is. strange as
It may seem, the best cable town in the
United States outside OF New York. Her
merchants do a vast direct business
abroad. Chicago, 81. Louis. Cincinnati,
kan EranciscO--nOne Of them equal New
Orleans. Mackay's cables are capitalized
az 81 100000. At the same time he is do
ing nearly as much business as all Of
them. And the earnings are nearly all
his own. He owns 100000 Of the cable
stock. James Gordon Bennett 100000,
md two other stockholders 100000 be-
tween them. The greatest loss has been
some $JO,Ol0 the last year TO repair a
break. Besides all this Mackay owns pat
enlb that enable him 20 cut rates clear
from under the other fellows. His opera
torh 90 not have to catch and translate
hasnes of lightning, butsit down 10 desk
ehe t"he messages from a tape no easily
~ FROM an ordinary ticker. His Office is
On the corner Of Broad and Wall streets
pm sew 1ork, the site OF the first tele-
tiaph olhce ln the United states. There
wy niehsagaa are received direct from
..lNps Tue Atlantic, without relaxing
tom the shore emo. The onbiee coma
'-7 Nie9Ailn bridge down 10 the of.