davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
History of the RicYclc.

In the year 1876 says the Philadelphia
Record, Baron Won Drais constructed
a curious vehicle, consisting of two
wheels of equal size, and placed one in
front of the other, and connected by a
oar on which was small seat. The rider
sat astride the bar and propelled the ve-
hiclc by striking his feet against the
ground. The machine, very simple in
mechanism, was named the Draisnc, and
was the progenitor of the modern bicycle.
In 1918 his contrivancc was introduced
10 use in England, and the year follow.
ing made its appearance in New York,
Philadelphia and Boston, and was for
lime quite popular. In 1863 French
nan applied cranks to the fore wheels Of
.hc Draisinc, having discovered that a
certain speed would maintain the cquilib.
rum of the two-whceler, and in 1866 fur.
her Improvements were effected, the
aew machine being introduced in New
York. 1t received little or no attention
Until 1868, when sudden popularity
honorcd it, and everybody began to use
t. This continued something more than
year, when it was summarily aband.
oned as it has been enthusiastically taken
Up. Some English mechanics continued
10 work upon the plan, however, and in
1876 the first improved bicycle was im-
ported and put on exhibition at our CEN
!cnnial fair. In 1876 the first American
company for the manufacture of bicycles
was organized, and the traffic in these ar.
ticles has since increased so steadily that
40 less than 6000 were manufactured
and sold in this country last year, and it
was estimated that there were then 80.
300 in use in the United States, exclusive
of boys machines. The manufacture
this year will be much larger, the con-
,tantly growing popularity of the bicycle
annually increasing the demand
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
ROYAL Treasures of Delhi, India.

We passed on to the armory, where
there were hundreds of choice and ia
nous swords, hiltcd to outdo Excalibar
in gold, jade and jcwcllcd work. Some
of them had pearls enclosed in slot
within the breadth of the blade, so that
the pearls run up and down as the point
is raised or depressed, well-known trick
of,thc old oriental sword lorgcrs. There
were shields of great beauty, some of
transparent rhinoceros-hidc, studded
with gold and jewels; some of nil ghai
skin, the tuft of hair upon the breast
being carefully retained, and made to
furnish the tasscl of the boss. A shirt of
mail worn by lIolkar's grandfather, and
rifle ten feet in length, were shown
with special pride by the maharajah's
armorcr, who is the best judge of the
water and temper of a sword-bladc in
Raiputana. In the t0Shd-hhana were
numbcrlcss chests of teak bound with
iron, containing the surplus funds of
Ulwur in rupees and gold mohur, elc-
phant trappings, gilded saddles and
brides, dresses of honor, costly shawls,
and the jewels of the royal household.
The glorics tf these latter were exhibited
amid a crowd of proud and respectful
Rajput guards and attendants. There
was diamond worth 100000, and two
emcralds of prodigious size, with Persian
couplets carved upon their lucent green,
which might have made any feminine
breast glow with passionate desire, not to
mention rope OF pearls, for which the
seas of Ormuz and of Lanka must have
been ransacked. The ToSha- HhanG also
buys and stores perfumes; and the dark
little trcasure-chamber was sweet and
subtle with all sorts of essences, laid up
for state occasions and for the pleasuring
of the zcnana, in TASKS, jars, and little
leather dubbas. Those curious in the fine
delights of fragrance should procure
some of the oil of the Keora palm. 1t
will give new sensation to the nose.-
London Telegraph.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
A Peculiar Dish OF Greens.

The following incident occurred at
very early date in the history of Maine.
Among the new settlers of Pemaquid was
one by the name of Alexander, who ac-
cordng to custom, was chosen as captain
to command the little company of men
which banded together for sclf-protectiOn
in those dangerous times Now Mrs.
Alexander, being much pulTed up by the
honor, must needs make feast to cclc.
bratc it. All her ncighbors were invit
ed, some of the women bringing knitting,
others coarse garments for sewing, and
still others their "littlc wheels" on theii
backs, with a distaff of flax to spin, and
all bringing babies.
One can imagine what merry compa
ny it was that gathered in the great log
kitchen, knitting-nccdlcs clicking, babies
grooming, and the fax-whccls humming
like a great swarm of bees in a clovel
field, while outside the newly-madc cap
tain treated the men.
Over the fire and hanging from the
huge iron crane was big brass kettle,
boiling furiously and emitting most fra
grant od0r. There was whispering
among the guests as to what their hostess
could be preparing, but all agreed that
if it tasted half as good as it smellcd, it
would be good enough.
Dinncr-timc came, the knitting was put
aside, the babies were hushcd to sleep,
and the wheels pushed back against the
walls. All gathered about the rough
table cXpcctantIy, and Mrs. Alexander,
with look of triumph, passed to each a
goodly portion of the contents of the
brass kettle, well seasoned and garnishcd
with butter
As it happened, one of the guests was
a rough old trader from Boston, and his
natural grullncss of disposition had not
been softcncd by his generous potations
outside. He looked at his dish curously
for a moment, tasted it. made wry face,
then shouted out, to the CONSERVATION Of
the company
"Woman, how much O. this stuff did
yc cook and buttcr?"
"Why, pound2" said the captains
wife, somewhat inccnscd. "Pray, isn't
that enough"
"Enough?" cried the trader. eyes,
to kill the whole settlement, stcwed in
yon pizcn kettle! This is tea madam,
for drinhing, not to be made into vile
greens"
An explanation followed, and Mrs.
Alexander, to whom the article Of tea
was hitherto unknown, as also to hcl
equally ignorant ncighbors, retired crest
fallen, yet we presume u much wiser
woman. - Ioutt'S Companion.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
DSTOCK, VT, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1886.

very first opportunity, only Pm afraid !
cannot emphasize it half so neatly as you
did,"
ooh, don't" said Hattie, pitcously
lifting her little hands. "Plcasc don't"
"No, won't" said Mr.. Gray. "We'D
forget and forgive"
And when Cousin Prodgitt and Mrs.
Hardy came in Hattie and the young
clergyman were earnestly discussing thq
rival merits of the gcraniums on Mrs
IIardy's flower stand.
Mrs. Prod lit stayed until spring and
when she went back home she told hcl
daughter that Hattie Hardy was engaged
to a young minister.
cor at least l suspicion she is" sh,
added. "Shc won't own nothin' for sar,
tin; but things amt now as they used Il
be. Folks as was engaged to be marie
used to be proud of it. But IIattic's /
queer girl. She hasn't been brought W
as girls were brought up in my day."
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
A Generals Anxiety.

One day during noted Kentucky
campaign, and while the Confederate
army was passing through Allen County,
Gen. Breckenridge, approaching Gen.
Hindman, said:
"Wc are now only a short distance
from Bear Waller and not very far from
Jimtown.'
The solemnity of his manner attracted
Hindman's serious attention, and regard
ing Breckinridgc with a long look of in
quiry he asked:
"But, General, why does our nearness
to those places so concern your
"Wcll, you Sec" Breckenridge replied,
81 fear it will be my fate to be killed in
an action at Jimtown or Bear Waller.
Bear Waller" he repeated. "The thought
of being killed at u place with such q
name makes me sick. = Toledo Blade.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
Farmer joys "Arrantin'."

The jolliest farmer was Ephraim Joy,
Gray-headed and bent, with the heart OF
boy.
He whistled all day as heploughed or moved;
He hailed each neighbor upon the road;
He petted his cattle and called every one
By some comical name-for the sake of the
fun.
He sang at his milking, and pitching his hay;
He always was sunny whetoyer the day.
He carried his cream to the neighboring
town;
Three days in the week he rodo up and down.
Still singing or whistling or resting his team
After climbing tho hills or crossing the
stream.
Not single house did he over pass by
Without stopping his horses and waiting to
cry:
"Wel, neighbor, anything wanted my way?
I'm G hin a'arrantin' most of the day"
And all of the farmers who plodded along
With never a smile or note of a song
Who never found time to get out the
SHAY"
And take wife and children Off for day.
Who thought it was queer in old Ephraim
JOY
To be jolly and merry-so much like boy,
Were all very glad, when ho went up and
down,
To have him do "arrants," if need be, III
town.
He was postman, cxpressman and messenger,
too,
No one caught him forgetting thing he
could do;
And you'd never have guessed bo was sixty
years old,
If you'd seen him "a-arrantin'," as he'd been
told,
Though empty his milk cans, he'd always a
load
When he started his horses again on the road.
His face was SO bright and his manners so
gay,
''The more arrants the BETTER" it seemed he
would say.
How often I've wondered, while thinking Of
him
With my heart full of love, while my eyes
have grown dim,
Of the help and the comfort which he always
boro
To the sick and the sorry, the weak and the
poor.
He did elrands Of mercy and love unseen,
As well as the 'arrantin' known to men;
And | know if such work is tho angels en-
ploy,
They have one helper added in Ephraim joy.
-CaroHne b. LeroU in Good Cheer.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
Senators on Exhibition.

1t is astonishing the extent to which
The Senators pose for the galleries, says
Washington letter to the Boston Herald.
There is one Senator who appears to
make this almost the sole object of his
service on the floor of the Senate. No
matter how thin that body is in attend
encc, you will always find him there.
He strikes many attitudes, but he never
retains one of them long at time. He
will sit in his own seat; then he will 60
into the lobby; soon he returns and
walks back and forth behind the rows of
benches; then he takes the scat of anoth-
er Senator; then he rises to promenade
again. He does not make speeches HIM
self; he writes little in his seat; he sell
dom talks with other Senators; he is just
on exhibition. Another from the West
IS not so tall, so large, or so handsome,
but he is almost equally conscious. He
looks so different from the rest that the
visitors eye rests on him at once as it
surveys the Senate board, and generally
the inquiry is made as to who he is. He
Is Senator who does speak, and he
speaks with the realization that he is in
presence of the galleries. Not a word
hat comes from him escapes the ear of
Ihe auditor in any part of the building
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
Dangers from Goats Milk,

A correspondent writes: The British
Goat Society has held its half-ycarly
meetings and the report states that the
committee have been able to supply goats
to cottagcrs with very satisfactory re-
suits. SO far this is good news, for a
milch goat is tractabc and gives a most
abundant yield. But it is to be hoped
that the cottagcrs will be careful of their
milch goats, and will not allow them to
pasture at large. The goat is proof
against almost every known vegetable
poison. Any one who doubts this may
test the fact for himself, for there is
nothing a goat likes so much as mouth
full of tobacco. A goat which knows
that you have tobacco about you will
follow you anywhere and any distance
for it. And it is an unkind practical
joke to disturb the tranquility of row Of
chaiscs at the seaside by the production
of tobacco-pouch. The COW, as we all
know, from the time we first began our
nurscry-rhymes, is partial to the Chem
lock rank" ," and there have been cases of
poisoning from the milk Of cows that
have eaten hcmlock. But the goat will
eat with impunity not only hcmlock, but
yew clippings (Which are fatal both to
COWS and horses, bryony, foxglove, and,
indeed, almost every poisonous plant.
The result is, of course, to poison the
milk, and it is consequently to be hoped
that the favored cottagers will contine
their goats to swedcs, vctches, cut grass,
and other such harmless substances, and
will not allow them to roam at large
81. JdmCs's Gazete,
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03

As many of our readers well know, it
IS the fashion now to seal letters with
wax instead of the ordinary mucilage.
But that the color of the wax possesses
. significance of itself Is not so generally
tnown. The ordinary red wax signifies
business, and is supposed to be used
,nly for business letters. Black is, of
course, used for mourning and condol-
mce. Blue means love, and in the four
Or five tints of this color, each stage of
the tender passion can be accurately
portrayed. When pink is used congratu'
ation is extended. An invitation to a
wedding or other festivity is scaled with
white wax. Variegated colors are sup.
posed to show conflicting emotion. Pen
mans Art Journal.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03

The hacicndado on horseback, writes
correspondent to the Springfield RepuJll
can, is a picture usually conscious of it
self, for these fellows are born dandicS;
and both men and animals are full of
prancing life. The horses are noble crca
lures, whose chests have been magnify
Gently developed by the rorctield air, and
the rider is athletic and born horscman!
lie wears suit of black cloth, short,
nattily cut jacket with big silver buttons !;
a low cut waistcoat, or more often none
to hide his delicate, snowy and frillcd
shirts; close pantaloons that bear along
the outer seams two rows Of fancy silver
buttons; high-hcclcd and usually top
boots that end in silver spurs; and a faja
or sash of red and other brilliant color to
bind the waist. Over the shoulder, or
across the saddle, which is most orna-
mental affair, is carried the bright scrapc
that looks like an immense Roman scarf.
The hat completes the picture, and the
ample proportions of that put ridiculc
upon the meagrc head coverings of the
North The only fault to be found with
the felt sombrcro is its wcight--but for
some occult reason it never seems burden.
some in the wearing Buffalo Bills hats
are libel on the genuine Mexican article.
His wide brim is all right, but this crown
rises to a dignity and comlincss much
like that which charactcrizcs the head
gear of Miles Morgan on your Court
Square. But while Miles restricted him
self to sober black, the Mexican indulges
in all colorS from beautiful silver gray,
through browns to gorgeous purple.
The crown is cncirclcd by silver or gold
cord, often in three or even four coils,
and the brim is embroidered with a
wealth in silver or gold trimming. Straw
hats arc of similar shape, and provided
with puffcd bands of the same material.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
Remedy for lIydrOphObln.

People of Ufa, Russia, have cure for
hydrophobia of their own. They give
to bitten men and beasts powder made
from field plant known on the Volga as
drok, of which Gcmata Tinctoria is the
scientific name. This powder is taken
on an empty stomach for three days, and
one dose on the ninth day, Salt and
salty food spoil the effect of the drug. A
well-known family of landowners used
the medicine for over forty years, and
saved over four hundred men, women
and children affected with hydrophobia.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
On q Mexican Street Car.

Although the etiquette of Mexican
street car is free and easy, and men
smoke inside or on the platform, women
are invariably treated with respect, and
half a dozen men will get up to give
place to any woman, young or old, rich
or poor. The Mexican gentleman has all
the courtesy for which the Latin races
arc famous, and life is smoothed and its
angles rounded by the constant courtesy
of this most polite nation. Do not I'M
agine that because people smoke in the
street cars their interiors resemble the
American railway smokcr-all filth under
foot, and the air bcfouled with rank
cigars and old pipes. The windows are
generally open, and constant current of
air drives the smoke out. Boston Herald.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
CLIPPINGS FOR THE CURIOUS.

In years past kiss was the recognized
fee Of lady's partner.
The Persians, as ancient writers inform
us, used to teach their sons to ride, to
pay their debts and to tell the truth.
At the beginning Of the present century
it was considered "fast" by respectable
Londoncrs to have sofas in the parlor.
Boiling criminals to death was an old
time punishment, and holding burning
basins before the eyes Of captiyes to de-
stroy their cycsight was another.
A London physician finds by expert
menting, that if dog and a cat arc i'm
prisoned in q letheal chamber, as they
call their arrangement for killing animals
in London the cat lives about nine times
rs long as the dog
A man in Richmond, Va, has built
house by most singular mode Of indus
try. For many years past he has picked
up from the streets one brick at a time,
and year ago he had accumulated suf-
ticicnt number of bricks to build him a
small house on the suburbs.
A fashionable dressmakcr in New York
is engaged in the manufacture Of gown,
the ornaments of which will be live
canarics. The idea is taken from an
English gcntcwoman, who proposed ap-
pearing in such costume at the Queens
drawing room, but was deferred from so
doing by some structures by Mr.. Labou-
chere.
DR.. c. c. Abbott the naturalist, re-
Gently fonnd upon his farm at Trenton,
N. j., box tortoise, upon the under
shell of which was cut his grandfathcr's
name, ]. Abbott, with the date 1891.
The appearance of the totoise denoted
great age, and there is no reason to doubt
the fact that the name was really en-
grayed upon it siHty-four years ago.
Near Astoria, Or, may be seen de-
post Of clam shells which covers an area
of four acres, and in places they are piled
ten feet deep. A thousand loads taken
away seemed to make no impression on
the heap. A clam opener made of tho
tooth of a whale was recently found
among them. Over these shells there are
sixteen inches Of soil, in which fir trees
400 years old arc growing.
In the middle ages the most fashion.
able wines were those of Chios, Cyprus,
and other Greek vintagcs. The wine
was generally spiced and was served
under the name of hippocras 1t was
not thought unpolite, even so late as the
sixteenth century, for u guest to ask his
host what wines he intended to provide,
so that he might make his calculations as
to what he would take before he confined
himself to the particular tipple which
should place him under the table.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
The Conductor "Pas,cd,o

Did you ever on railway car observe
the many bits of pastcboard that arc
thrust out at the conductors, who hesi-
tate before they punch them and hand
them back with an air that seems to say,
"Well, It's none of my business" and
move on to another! That's the "pass, "
and mighty useful thing it is where the
shekels are not redundant and the ways
are long. Lecturers find it so especially,
and SaXc-now old and, | am told, ruin
ed in health and Spirits-oncc told me
one of his experiences that was very
amusing. He had passes ON all the rail
roads and steamboats, in the West, he
thought, but at one time he found him
self on a short road not down on his
chart upon which he had no ticket. As
the conductor came along he took all his
passes from his pocket and held them in
ais hand like deck of playing cards
"Mr. CONDUCTOR said he, "do you play
'uchrcr Yes, sometimes" "Wcll,
what should you say to hand like that
n should say pass and SAKE put up
lis cards as the conductor passed laugh
ugly along. HyU0rd PJS'.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
THE WRONG MAN.

"Ah," said Mrs. Prodgitt, "things
have changed since my day. When !
was girl, folks used TO stay at home and
help their mothers do the houscwork,
and piece bcdquilts, and embroidcr lace
vcils instead of running about in all the
dirty streets and narrow lanes in crea-
tion.n
Mrs. Prodgitt did not take kindly to
modern civilization.
She had come up from Owl Brook to
visit her cousin Mary Ann, who had
married Ebcnczcr Hardy a quarter of a
century ago and settled down in New
York; and, as she expressed herself,
"things seemed to be all turned topsy-
turvy."
"But, Cousin Prodigy" said saucy,
Hattie Hardy, who was cquipping her
self with basket, bag, porasol and water
proof cloak, sit is work of mercy and
charity that VIC are engaged in."
"Nonscnsc" irrirably cried Mrs. Prod
gitt 81 think you've all gone crazy to-
gethcrl I'm surprised at you, Mary Ann,
to let the child go tramping all over the
city by herself. In my day it wasn't
considered respectable"
"You say truly that times have changed
since then" mildly uttered Mrs. Hardy,
who was knitting heecy wool by the fire.
''Be sure, Hattie, that you come early.
The new minister is to be here tonight
to tea, and Bctscy can't be trusted with
the new set Of moSs-rosc china"
81 wonder what he is likc?" said Hat
tic, as she tied the deep blue strings of
her hat into coqucttish bow under her
round chin. 81 do hope he's young and
handsome"
"My dearw demonstrated Mrs. Prod
gitt.
"Of course" added Hattie, eve knew
that old Mr.. Puzzlcton was a perfect
saint; but one don't like saints with red
noses and spcctacles and three layers of
double chin"
Mrs. Prodgitt looked as if she expect
ed that Hattie would be struck by light
ming on the spot for that herctical re-
mark.
"IIarriet!" was all that she could utter.
While Mrs. Hardy, more accustomed
to the audacious speeches of her pretty
daughter, went on in her purring, sing
song tones:
"Don't forget that poor widow in Cob
lane Hattie. And if you go to Milo
Rencau's, l think it would be well tc
speak a word in season to that great lazy
son of his, who is always buying lottery
tickets, and does nothing to support the
old folks.'
"Oh, yes! I'm glad you mentioned
that" said Hattie, penciling an entry OF
her little tablets. "Mem--to give Jonas
Rencau piece of my mind Dear Mr.
Puzzlcton always said that that young
man was dreadful stumbling block"
"And | think" went on Mrs. Hardy
"that the Gray sisters can find work fo
Alice Jennings now, if she is still unem
ploycd."
"The which7" said Mrs. Prodgitt.
"Thc Gray sisters" explained Mrs
Hardy. "One of our church organiza
tions."
Mrs. prodgitt glarcd.
as there any end of the folly and non
sense of the present generationl" said she
~ suppose" laughed Hattie, "that il
your day, Cousin Prodigy, nobody wen
slummng?"
"Went-wherc?" said Mrs. Prodgitt
"Slummingw distinctly repeated Hat
tic.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03
Sntl,ticd with his Purchase.

A man came into cigar store, bought
cigar, and threw bad tive-ccnt piece
on the counter. lie was hurricdly de-
parting when the dealer called after him
"IIold on, hold on, it's bad"
"Ncycr mind answered the pur-
chaser, as he quickly passed out, "rll
smoke it anyhow, "-.Ne'c York CONNER.
cad.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03

"Givc us the ballot boXw is the cry of
tut very few of the fair sen, while thc
est of our feminine population is content
With being allowed to frequently stuff
he band-box.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-03-03

IEKNTD
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