davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
\ VentrilOquist's Amusing Prank.

In the first quarter of this century Q party of travellers was journeying down the Missouri on flat boat. The river was covered with floating ice, and pro. visions were scarce, but the mon were young, possessed of much more wit than money, and able to extract plenty of fun out of the danger and privation. One evening two of them, school teacher and 8 Frenchman, whose occupation nobody could discover, went ashore to buy provisions at farm house. The teacher offered half-a-dollar to the farmers wife for motherly old hen that was scratching about the yard. She re- fused with torrent of abuse. His com rade, who was lounging over the gate, whispered, "Offer another bit" "Five bits," said the teacher. The woman hesitated, when, to her amazement, the hen squeaked out: "Im not worth it I'm four years old I'm not worth 1t !" The the teacher started back in dismay; the farmers wife, regaining her courage, chased the hen and caught it up in her arms. ''Take two bits It's all I'm worth !" it said, Tapping wildly in her arms. She ran, pale with terror, to the Frenchman, and put it in his arms, screaming out, "Take it away! It's bewitched p The young men threw the money back to her, and carried off the hen. Many years afterwards, among the crowd in the east room of the White House which attended one of the recep- tions of President Fillmore, was the kindly old Signor Blitz, we'll known to all the children of the Eastern States as 8 ventriloquist. When he was intro l duced to the President the two men looked at each other moment and then burst into a laugh. "You never thought to see me here." said MT. Fillmore
 ''now, for the first time. understand the mystery of the old hen. "-Argonaut.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
THE RIO GRANDE CHANNEL Another Cause of Quarrel With tho
 Mexicans Found by Fl PasO

The political importance of the Rio Grandc is greater than it's commercial, and, while it forms Il we'll defined boundary for more than a thousand miles between our republic and Mexico, it's many shoals and sandbars prevent its ascent by large yes sells for more than n small fraction of it's course This physical feature of the river has been tho source of trouble for many years. Being fordable through much ofits length, it has been infested by outlaws who cross to one side or the other to plunder the ranches, and then baffle pursuit by recrossing. For smuggling too, this shalowncss of the river furnishes great advantagcs, and the escape of Mexican deserters across the river Is furi- tated.
 The Mayor of Fl Paso HOW complains to the Governor of Texas that the MeXicans on the right bank of the river, opposite Fl Paso, are building embankments which are intended to change it's channel, and will inevitably cause it to encroach on the American shore. He even thinks that they have built far enough out into the river to cross tho inter- national boundary, and are already within American domains. He adds that unless this work is stopped ut once the frontier will be artificially changed and serious injury in flicted on Texas land owners meanw hile he would like to know what to do "ln order to protect the territory of the State and of the United States, as the urgency of the case will hardly allow the delay necessary to obtain redress by the ordinary di diplomatic channels. ' He had already urged the City Council of Fl Paso to stop the work at once, even if by fnrr
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Death by Fire.

fire broke out in the packing ,oom of the Steam Gauge and Lantern Comoany's works in Rochester, N. Y. The famen spread like lightning, and in fifteen minutes from the time the fire was discovered ha<l reached the roof In the factory at the time the fire broke out were nearly fifty men. About haIi of these escaped in safety, lat a number are missing, and it is known that five dead. The m-n were at work on the third and fou.'th floors. and were forced to the windo WIS by the rapid spread of the fire. In spite of all the efforts of the Bremen to prevent them, a number jumped from tho north side of the bui ling and struck on a rocky ledge. The fall was nearly forty feet, and every one was moro or less injured. Tho victims were carried into d neighboring factory where n temporary hospital was inn provised. At one time fifteen were lying on the floor in this room at o2ce.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
CURIOUS FACTS,

A RAY of light travels Il, 16O, 900 miles ill minute.
 THE stuffed skin of black pony which belonged to the Queen of Spain makes a novel hobby horse for the little king. In the portrait of his majesty the riding horse is prominent feature.
 NERVOUS people are afraid to attend the services in the Bristol Cathedral, England, as the building literally swarms with rats. The creatures are to be seen running about in the nave while service is proceeding in the choir.
 A STEWARD who had been intrusted with the task of filling up his masters library sent the following order to London bookseller: "In the first place I want six feet of theology, the same quantity of metaphysics, and near a yard of old civil law in folio.
 w. A. LYMAN, of Milford, Ct., is mak- ing the smallest possible specimen of an engine. It will be made from silver half dollar. The boiler is to hold about eight drops of water, but with four drops the engine can be worked several minutes. When finished it is to be placed under glass cass three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and one and one half inches in height. Some of the parts will be so fine and delicate that they cannot be made without the use of 8 magnifying glass.
 HUNTING for turtles eggs on the is- lands of the coast is 8 summer pastime of Georgians. It is said that one of the curiosities of turtles nest is that no one having taken the eggs from tur- ties nest can get them all back in again. Several have tried the experiment to find it blank failure. After filling the cavity in the sand there are always enough eggs left to fill couple more nests just as large. Old Mrs. Turtle, when she deposits an egg, paddles it in tight with her feet, egg by egg, the elasticity of the egg shell permitting it, but man cannot compress the eggs as does the turtle.
 DR. T. w. GREENE, writing to an En- glish journal from Montevido, says that fresh meat forms the staple article of diet in part of the province of Buenos Ayres, where he lived for four years. Vegetables and fruit were unknown ex- cept for one month in the Autumn, bread could not be had, and biscuits and farina, meal made from mandicca, were too expensive for the poor. The population live entirely on meat, and drink nothing but the mate de yerba, bitter kind of herb, containing the same active principle as tea and coffee. It is not uncommon for man to eat four or five pounds of meat at meal; but Dr. Greene thinks it contains less fibrine and albumen, and more salt and water, than English meat. He never knew case of scurvy, or anything like it, dur ing the four years he practised amongst the inhabitants
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
A MILLING TRUST.
Propositions to Meet the Overpro-
 duction of Flour.

Minneapolis millers are engaged in forming a milling trust, to meet the present overpro duction. Propositions have been made to Milwaukee millers to enter into combina- tion and shut down their mills long enough to allow the overstock to be worked off.
 The proposition was not made direct, but came through MT. Freeman of La Crosse. At q meeting, J. B. Kerr was instructed to com municate with Mir. Freeman and say that the Milwaukee millers would consider any straght-cut proposition. In spite of the infer ence which might be drawn from the instruc- tions, it is not very likely that the Milwaukee millers will enter the trust. They allege that the present trouble was brought on by the Minneapolis mlers buying wheat at high prices and manufacturing it into flour. Now that the market is glutted, they want the Milwaukee men to come to their relief. The course of the Minneapolis millers during the recent wheat corner is said to have done much to bring about the present state of the market. They have been manufacturing flour at the rate of from 115, 900 to 1S5, ,0O0 barrels a day. Now they don't know what to do with it.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
PROGRESS OF THE CHEROKEES. As Pre- 'cntcd Tn the Message Of the
 Nations Chief

The National Council of the Cherokee Ma tiOn met in annual session at Taleqhah, I. T. with full attendance. The principal chief, the Hon. H. B. May, delivered his message in the Senate Chamber. On Cherokee citizenship he says Inc feels assured that all persons de cidcd against by the commission will be promptly ejectcd from the Cherokee county by order of the President of the United States. The Cherokees have in operation 100 common schools, with an az gregatc attendance of 1 ,019 pupils. and an average of 2,4S6; high school for boys, with an aggregate of 211 and an average of 156 students; female seminary nearing compile tion, with a capacity of 175 students, and an orphan asylum containing 145 children. Besides these schools sustained by the nation the Baptist, Presbyt terian, Congrcgationalst, and Cum berland Presby yteran churches have mission schools which are doing great good.
 Touching Cherokee grazing.lands known as the Cherokee strip, he informs the National Council that he has vetoed, or will veto, the bill passed at the late called session in favor of the Cherokee Strip Live Stock Association for S175 ,OOO a year, on the ground that he is assured that $2OO, 900 q year can be readily had if an opportunity is afforded others to bid. The message deals with many other questions of importance, among them the teaching of agriculture and mechanical arts and industries in all the national high schools and asylums, the late action of the Creek Council in regard to the so called Oklahoma country, etc.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
NEARLY 16O MEN KILLED.
Terrible Explosion in a Kansas Min
 ing Shaft.

A terrific explosion, that broke windows in the little village of Pittsburgh, and spread consternation among it's inhabitants, occur red at dusk. Half an hour after the explosion the villagers who were preparing to go to the mines were startled by ragged, bleeding man, who almost staggered into the arms of the searchers. He said that No. ? shaft at Frantenac, mining suburb, had been de- stroyed by an explosion, and that all the men in the mine save himself and a Dane, whom he left bleeding at tho mouth of the pit, were undoubtedly dead.
 The man who reached this village with the first tidings of the disaster, and who accom- panied the rescuers back to the mine, said the men were about to quit work for the day when the explosion occurred Together with the Dane he had ridden in the car to the top of the shaft when the earth seemed to snap be- heath him and the next thing he realized was the splashing of the snow and water upon his face as he lay with his comrade in the wreckage above the mine. There were 1G0 men in the mine at the time of the explosion, and as they were at work 112 feet below the surface, it is believed that not one survived the terrible shock which must have destroyed everything within the pit.
 rescuing party who started down the shaft but were driven back by the foul gases, say that the shock has destroyed whole drifts, and that it is probable that the men in the lower levels are buried beneath tons of slate Black damp is supposed to have caused the explosion.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14

A PATRIOTIC German in the annexed district of New York city, pasted his pa- pers on door of his house when he got naturalized so that he might live in daily contemplation of his citizenship. When he came to register, however, it was found that the paper was so firmly glued to the door that it couldn't be got off. Lawyers were asked in and at last the formal decision rendered that he would have to bring the paper to the polling place as the officials refused to come and look at it. He therefore took down the door and lugged it to the polling place on the last day of registration.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14

ALL the capitals of Europe, save one, are increasing in population, and that one, our readers will be surprised to hear, is St. Petersburg. If Constanti- nople had shown falling of, one would not have wondered, but it is difficult to realize that the Russian capital has in seven years been reduced from 929,000 to 832, ,OOO souls. So difficult is the fact of realization, indeed, that the Russian authorities refuse to realize it, and ar engagements of the most stringent and comprehensive kind are now being or ganized for taking another census of St. Petersburg in December. During the last numbering of the people many families staid out all night to escape enumeration, so in December number of officials will be told off to deal with the people found in the streets. The latter will be stopped and enumerated there and then, the chances being that good many citizens of the Russian capi- tai will get put down twice over. But the Czar is determined that his capital shall show respectable increase in it's numbers, and of course his wishes must be carried out,
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
The Bulk of Trade Being Absorbed
 by This Country.

The Mexican Treasury Department statis- tics show the total expectations of the fiscal year ending June last to be $4s,ss5, 1908, which is within 8 fraction of the exportations of the previous fiscal year. But the most remarkable fact is that the United States took 63 per cent. of the whole, while England and other European nations took only 37 per cent. The United States took in the previous fiscal year 56 per cent, showing that the trade between the two countries is growing with great rapidity. Three-quarters of all products other than precious metals are sold in the United States, and that country is the main reliance of the Mexican farmers in their efforts to enlarge their market.
 In the city of Mexico leading Germans ad- init that the United States is absorbing the bulk of the Mexican trade and this is why newspapers there published in the interests of the European trade so bitterly denounce the United States, for they see the commercial supremacy of the Europeans in the Mexican trade departing. This year all custom houses where exports are made to the United States show heavy gains.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Central American Fires.

\ steamer from Panama brings an account of a big fire recently in ihc ncighborhoo'l of Villeta. Colombia The fire originated in stubblc, and owing to q strong breeze. the flames caught the houses of the iown Many children perishcd. Heavy losses of cattc and produce are reported At Carthagrna there, has been grent loss from drought and forest hres- All crops have been lost, and in some places the fire destroyed oihcr valuable prop critics, including nn immense sugar ranr plan tatlon, on which the buildings :tud I5 900 co f1pe plants were consumed
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
RIOTOUS NEGROES.
Three White Men Shot During a
 Scuffle in Virginia.

A riot occurred in Portsmouth between whites and blacks. Four hundred ne groes marched down High street, theprin- cipal thoroughfare in the city. At the corner of Dinwiddie street a large party of white men were eongregated, and white boy and & negro had scufhe. The negroes came to the rescue of their comrade and were charged by the whites. Hardly had the fight commenced before shots were fired by the negroes Then the widest confusion prevailed, and after about forty shots the negroes retreated.
 The whites then discovered that three of their men had been wounded, two probably fatally. Immediately after the rio t and after the negroes had retreated, the whites began arming themselves, Mayor Baird called out the Old Dominion Guards and 100 special policemen were sworn in. Another outbreak is feared.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
CATTLE MARK FITS.

NEW YoRK-Good Steers, 10 to 11c.; Fair do, ,sM to 9Ac; Oxen, 7H to c;Dry Cows live weight, S2.0O@ &3.5O; Bulls, do., $20O@ $425; 51ato 81ac.; Hogs, ,city-dressed 7asto 75scper 1b.
 WATERTowN, Mass.-Market Beef, 8 few choice $500 extra, $7.00 to $7.5O; 1st quality, 6.o0 to $50; 2d quality, $500 to $50; Sd quality, $4.O0 to $4.5O. Swinc.-Western fat, live, 64 to 6Hc.; Northern dressed hogs, 7Acents per 1b. Sheep and Lambs-In lots, S2.OO, $500 to $3.50 each; extra, SiOO to 84.5O; Spring Lambs, 3s4 to 5115c, per 1b; Veal Calves, 2H to 5slc. 1b.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Queer Polling Places.

It took 15a columns of fiue type in the New York Tribune to describe the assem- bly, districts and precinct bounds and to name the voting places of that city. There are 24 districts and 836 precincts and voting places. Some of the latter have queer surroundings. Barbers' shops are common, and almost every variety of trade is named as occupying the prem ises, not excepting the undertakers' call ing. A dressmaker's store was used for the polls in one precinct.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
A Secret

Of good health is found in the regular move ment of the bowels and perfect action of the Liver. These organs were intended by nature to remove from the system all impurities. If you are constipated, you offer a standing in- vitation" to a whole family of diseases and ir. regularities which will surely be accepted" and you will have guests unwelcome and de- termined. All these unhappy conditions may be averted by the timely use of Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Purgative Pellets. Powerful for the effectual regu ation of the bowels and Liver, establishing a healthy action of the entire wonderful organism with which we are ere Atad.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Wants to be a Crown Colony.

In the Manitoba Legislature the Govern mcnt announced in speech that an appeal would be made to the the foot of the throne against the outrages perpctrated against the province by the Federal Government. It is probable the request will be made to have the province elevated into a Grown colony Pre- micr Grcenway dealt for three hours with the charges of corruption against himself and the Government. He concluded by moving for a royal commission to investigate the charges fulIy
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
HOney.MOOn

"Say, Perkins, old boy, why don't we see you at the club any more? Has your mother.in- law shut down on you?" ''No, Brown; the fact of the matter is, my home is so happy now that there is no inducement for me to leave it. You look incredulous, but it's a positive fact. You see, my wife used to suffer so much from func- her spirits and her temper were greatly af- fected. It was not her fault, of course, but 1t made home unpleasant all the same, But now, since she has begun to take Dr. Pierce's Fa- vorite Prescription, she has been so well and So happy that we arc having our honeymoon all over again."
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
For a Good Purpose.

President Patton, of Princeton College, an nounces that he has obtnined $50, 900 to be used at his discretion for the benefit of Prince
 ton College Of this amount Mrs Susan D.
 Brown, of Princeton gave $50 900, and other friends of Dr. Patton sums of g 800 and e5, 900 each Five thousand dollars, it is understood, win bc used to found five new srAolarships- The remainder will probably - a4pka tpWoSa ths eseseieu of . 9nc
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
CraZed by Cigarettes.

Mrs. Joseph C.. Walters was adjudged in, insane in Chicago, and will be sent to an asylum. Two years ago she was troubled with hay fever, and tried cubeb cigarettes for relief. From cubebs it was an easy step to tobacco cigarettes, and the habit once formed became so strong that Mrs. Walters smoked them constantly. Her friends tried in vain mind began to give way. Doctors say it is doubtful if she ever recovers.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14

Ex-Speaker of tho Assembly of tho State
 of New York.
 STATE OF NEW YORK, ASSEMBLY CHAMBER,
 ALBANY, April 16, 1s86 My family for the last twelve years have been using ALLcocK's POROUS PLAsrERs, and have found them wonderfully efficacious in coughs, colds, and pains in the side and back.
 About ten years ago I was thrown from a wagon and badly bruised. In three dayo these plasters entirely removed the pain and sore ness. Twice they have cured me of severe colds which threatened pulmonary trouble. They also cured my son of rheumatism in the shoul- ders, from which he had suffered two years
 JAMES w. BUSTED.
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Sunk in the HarbOr.

The fishing schooner Goldsmith Maid, Capt. Hines, returning from voyage to the Middle Bank, with 3O,OOO pounds of fresh
 fish was run into and sunk in Boston harbor, by the steamer Glaucus. Peter Landrey and Howard Monroe of Shtlburne, N. S., who were asleep in the forecastle of the schooner, went down with her. The rest of the crew reached Gallopes Island, where they spent the night. They were taken of by 2 tugboat Ia s,-sf
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
MARKET: PRICES.
Highest Produce Quotations in New
 YOrk-Cattle Market.

November Is, le69. Bu71zn.-state Dairy, new, extra. ....s 25 State Dairy, fair to prime. ....... 24 State Creamery, fancy ............ 261 Western Dairy, fancy y.............. l9 Western Creamery, per lb. ........ 261 Western Creamery, choice. 70 BEANS AND PEAs.-Beans, Mar, choice. S.35 Beans, Red Kidney, choice, ,old..... 2,25 Peas, Green, new. 1.50 CHEEsE.-State Factory, fancy, white. 10s. State Factory, fancy, ,colored, new. 1Os. State Factory, full cream, prime. 1Oh D1 RsspbsrTiss sbeuARess neT per b ss Eaas.-Eastern, fresh-laid, per doz-.. 25 Canada, fresh-laid, choice. :.:..... 23 Western. ice-h.d inferior to fair;;.. SS S3 FnUaTs':-Apples aragsnsten' IS1 per Do. Ss5 AAppis Apples, f' Fali Rippin, per bbl. :.:.. 1:ss Cranberries, Cape Cod, per crate... ? 50 Lemons, Fla. ,per box. ......... 500 Oranges, Fla, fair to good, per box 200 Pears Sheldon, per bbl. .... 500 Hay, Clover mixed. ed................. 65 Hay, SaIt. ................. D Long Rye Straw, w,.................. 80 Uat otrSw .....'.'.'''.''''''''' oe POULTRY, Erc.-Live Western Geese. 1.62 Turkeys, per lb. b................... 10 Western Ducks, per pair. 80 Fowls, Stato, N. J., and Pa, per lb.: 10 Dressed Turkeys, mix. weights, perlb II Chickens, Western, scalded, per lb.. 10 Chickens, Phila., Spring, per lb..... 16 English Snipe, per dog. z......... 1.75 Tame Squabs, white, per dozen..... 3.75 Tame Squabs, dark, per doz.. ....... 250 VEaETABLEs-Potatoes, l.. l. Rose, Dbl 1.75 Potatoes. ....................".. 1.25 Sweet Potatoes, New Jersey, per bbl. 2.25 Onions State, yellow, per bbl. geo. 1.50 Onions, Orange Co.,, red, per bbl... 100 Onions, Connecticut, White, per bbl 3.25 Cabbage, Long Island, per 100..... 800 Turnips, Russia, per bbl. ........... 75 Caulif1OWer per bbl bl 15O
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14

IT is noted in an English paper that thirty-six large boxes of correspondence have been passed over to Lord Rowton as material for his memoirs of the late Earl of Beaconsfeld. The magnitude of going through this appalling mass of documents will be apparent to any one who has ever. tried to read through even small file of old letters Even when edited, relieved of it's superduities and
Connecticut western news., 1888-11-14
Cooperating Against Slave-Traders.

At the re-assembling ot the English Parlia> ment Lord Salisbury said that Germany had invited England to cooperate with her in the work of preventing more effectively the expor- tation of slaves from and the importation of arms to East Africa. England had promised to aid in the work as it was in accordance with her traditional policy. The proposed and not military one. France had also agreed to render assistance and would send man -of-war to cooperate with the German and English vessels in 8 blockade against slave and arms-bearing vessels. The vessels forming. the blockade would have the right to search vessels under any flag