davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
A Blind Watchmaker's Skill.

NIap gears ago there lived in the towni of Holbeach, England, blind matchmaker named William Rippin, whose delicacy of touch and marvellous skill in repairing watches were famous throughout all the neighboring country He was not born blind, either, so that his singular faculty cannot be expla ined as congenital. After learning his trade in regular fashion he commenced busi- ness at Holbeach, but three or four years afterwards caught severe cold in his eyes, which resulted in amaurosis, and although under treatment of tn, leading occulists of the day, he became totally and hopelessly blind at 28 years of age. Instead of being crushed by his misfortune, he, by great and untiring energy and perseverance,, became one of the cleverest of blind men. His ability to clean anl repair clocks, watches, musical instruments, and every article connected with the business was mar vellous.
 He was able to work as we'll as before his afflictiou. He could do any repairs required, even turning in verges, &c. Tho only aid ho required in taking to pieces and putting together watch was in unpinning and pinning tho hairspring, which was impossible for blind man to do, which was done by his wife, whom, he taught to work at tho business after his loss of sight. He gca crally had 100 watches in the shop for repairs, some of them being brought from distance ol 100 to 200 miles. Every watch he knew by the touch. and every customer by his voice. Having been first class cricketcr previously, even after his loss of sight he played two single wicket matches, both of which ho won. He could play cards, dominocs, bagatelle, was a good musician, and leader of the Holbeach Brass Band. He was an in telligent man, nearly six feet high, and many who saw and conversed with him were unaware that he was blind. He died early in consequence of the severe treatment for his eyes, but the prosper ous business he left at Holbeach was carried on successfully by his wife and daughter until about five years ago. -
 Jewellers Review.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
Thickness of ClOuls.

Capt. H. Toynbec, of the London Meteorological Society, has arrived at the conclusion that clouds of less than 20OO feet in thickness are seldom ac- companied by rain; and if they are it is very gentle, consisting of minute drops. With a thickness of between 2,OoO and 4, 900 feet the size of the drop, is moderate. With increasing thickness comes increasing size of the drops, and at the same time their temperature be- comes lower, until, when the thickness is greater than 5000 feet, hail is pro- duced.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
The RazOr.Back Hog.

"They are great travellers, and always go in trot Their quadrupedal loco motors are il some way connected with an internal grunting arrangement. This capabllity for locomotion, and their innate sinfulpess, scientifically explain their existence in West Virginia and their ancestry. There is no author ity for even supposing that all the swine historically described as going down into the sea or lake with devils in them were drowned. The Sinaitic Vatican and Alexandrian manuscript say s'choked;" so stake my scientific reputation upon the assertion that the razor back hogs of West Virginia are descended from the survivors of those owned by the A. D. pork-raisers, for the reason that they have more devil in them than can possibly be compressed in- to modern pork, have cloven feet long tail, and never miss an opportunity to upset bucket, eat weeks washing, or squeal when the baby is asleep."- [Amcrican Magazine.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
Perpetual Youth,

'Tis said there is fount in Flower Land De Leon found it-where Old Age away Throws weary mind and heart, and fresh
 as day Springs from the dark and joins Aurora's
 band: This tale, transformed by some skilled trou-
 vcre's wand From the old myth in Greek poets lay, Rests on no truth. Change bodies as Time Souls do not change, though heavy be his Who of us needs this fountl What soul is
 old! Our mere masks age, and still we grow
 more young,
 For in our winter we talk most of Spring; And as we near, slow tottering, Gods safe
 fold,
 Youths loved ones gather nearer; though among
 The seeming doad, youths songs more clear
 they sing --lMaurice Egan in Century.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
HUMOROUS.

A soar spot The eagles nest.
 A neck and neck race-Giraffcs.
 The divers business is going down.
 A man who does business on large scale-a coal dealer.
 A skillful cook is the most popular of all interior decorators.
 If tho gallows is the instrument of death, what.is the accordionG When the baker makes his morning rounds thcroll call is in order.
 "Wcstward the star of empire takes his way" but he frequently walks home again on the ties.
 "He gave me some pointers" said the tramp of the farmer; ''ho, jabbed me with pitchfork.
 On seeing house being whitewashed, small boy of 3 wanted to know if it was going to be shaved.
 The man who can never get day off - the chap who has 'thirty days" from the police court judge.
 It docs not take a schoolboy long to cvince love for division, provided another boy owns the apple.
 What is the difference between a country school masetr and Britanniaa One rules the wave and the other waves the rule.
 The difference between the sun and mans nose is one is the center of tho solar system and the other the scenter of the human system.
 Tom: "I think real estate men are awfully selfsh." Harry whois one of them): "Whyg" "Because they are al ways wanting the earth"
 He Cat very late hour, with deep cnderness) How can leave theel She Really MT. Slayer, I can't tell you. I wish to heaven I could.
 A Boston surgeon has extracted the nerves from mans check. What busi- ness house the patient intends to serve as commercial traveller is not stated.
 Caller to little Bobby, what makes your eyes so brightT Bobby (after little thought -I des it's tause I hain't had lem very long,"
 "Papa," asked little Bobby Mcswil- ligcn, "what is railroad pooli'' "A railroad pool, Johnny" replied McSwil- ligen, 'is where they water tho stock. ]"
 'sHumph" grumbled the clock, q don't know of any one who is harder worked than I am; twenty-four hours day year in and year out" And then it struck.
 A patent medicine advertiser advises: "Give your lungs exercise" The father who walks the floor at night to quiet vociferous youngster thinks the advice superfuous.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
CANAAN, CONN, WEDNESDAY, 1s8s
Pearl Oysters.

The business of getting the pearls out of oysters Is to.crably disagreeablc one. The oysters are thrown into large vcs- scls and left to die, when the shells open of their own accord. The shells arc then removed, but the oysters them selves arc left ln buckets till they be- come decomposcd, when they arc well stirred. The pearls sink to the bottom, and the remainder is poured off. It may be readily inferred that. the odor in the camp of the pearl seekers is more powerful than pleasant.
 The pearl had its origin in the efforts of the oyster to protect itself from the iuitation cau'cd by the presence of some foreig>s@Lody hctwcen the shell and its manll,, as tho soft skin of the oyster is technically termed. To init igatc the suffering caused by this vex- atious intru l"r, tn, oyster deposits thereon coating of the same material as that of which the shell is composed, and when ono a.this process has begun it continues, tiA in time the pearl grows large cnon3hsto Kill the oyster,
 Linnau,, thesS sfather of naturalists," /" l received tl1oA'hoaor of knighthood for demonstrating the possibility of artif- cially inducing the formation of pearls in the pearl bearing musscl. But, as has been the case with other European inventions of which we have thought a good deal, it has since turned out that John Chinaman has been doin this thing for a couple of thousand years or so. The Chinese method is to take the mus sel from the river, carefully force the shells little way apart and insert be- tween the mantle of tEe oyster and one of the shells few little pellets of clays tiny pearls or foreign bodies of some kind. When this has been done, the oyster is turned over, and the poor fcl- low is obliged to submit to similar un comfortable process on his other side. He is then put back into pond, where he is kept we'll and fat by diet more nourishing than nice. After Q few months or sometimes year or two, he is again taken from his bed, his pearls are taken out and he is eaten. --[ Boston l Herald
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
A Revolutionary Hero.

One of the heroes of the Revolution whose deeds are not recorded in history was William Golf of Gray, Me. When news came of the battle of Lexington he was chopping wood, with his gun conveniently near him, ready for any stray game that might appear. He at once dropped his axe, picked up his gun, stopped at his home a minute to bid his wife goodbye, went to a neighbor's and borrowed some bullet molds, run what lead he had into bull lets, and walked to Cambridge, getting there just in season for the battle of Bunker Hill. When asked after the battle in what company he was enrolled he promptly replied, Civilian Goff's. " He continued to serve his country until 1777, when he fell at the battle of Ger.
 a0eRk
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
Natures Oil Press.

According to Professor L. Lcsky, the buried bed of vegetation which has be- come what is now known and used as the Pittsburg coal bed, twelve feet thick, must have originally been as many as 15O feet in depth, it having been con- pressed 10 its present size, as the coal bed, by the action of heat and the pres sure of the strata, or layers of sand which were deposited upon it at different times after it was covered with water. As this coal bed is far above the oil sands, it is thought that the bed of veg citation which it low repres ents furnished the oil and gas now being found, but that they have been formed from other beds, buried below the oil sands, and which may have been of even greater depth or thickness than this one; pressed down by the tremen- dous weight of the hundreds and thou sands of feet of sand, gravel etc., which now form the rock strata above them, and heated from below by the internal heat of the earth to very high degree these beds of vegetation would as result of such forces, be changed in part into oil and gas, which would escape upward to where it is now found, the parts not so changed remaining and being changed into beds of coal. It is supposed that in this way the gas has been pro- duced, and, possibly, is still being produced, from beds of vegetation buried below the oil sands, and that it has found its way in company with oil perhaps, up to the porous sand rocks or oil sands.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
PEARLS OF THOUGHT.
Life is a short day, but it is working

Life is short day, but it is a working day.
 Though many guests be absent, it is the cheerful man we miss.
 Give because you love to give--as the flower pours forth its perfume.
 A child who sees deceit around it will rarely make an honorable man.
 Where there is room in the heart there is always room iu the housc.
 Fame comes only whcn deserved, and then it is inevitable as destiny.
 Good intentions will not help man on his way if he takes the wrong road. All the events of our life are mate rials out of which we may make what Grand temples arc made of small i stones, and great lives are made up of small events.
 Modesty and the dew love the shade. Each shine in the open day only to be exhaled to heaven. Talents arc best matured in solitude; character is best formed in the stormy pillows of the world.
 Even reck oning makes lasting friends, and the way to make reckonings even is 1 to make them often. Costly followers are not to be liked lest while man makes his train longer, he makes his wings shorter. A diamond with flaw IS better than pebble without But the flaw adds nothing to the value of the diamond
 The use we make of our fortune de. termines its sufficiency. A little is enough if used wisely, too much if ex- pended foolishly.
 Though reading and conversation may furnish us with many ideas of men and things, yet it is our own meditation must form our judgment.
 Belief is an edifice never completed because we do not comprehend its plan and every day some workman brings 6 new stone from the quarry.
 With books, as with companions, it i of more conseque nee to know which te avoid than which to choose; for goot books are as scarce as good companions
 It is beneath the dignity of soul tha has but grain of sense, to mak' chance, and winds, and waves the arbitrary disposers of his happi ness.
 Grief or misfortune seems to be in dispensable to the development of intel ligence, energy and virtue The proof to which the people are submitted, a with individuals, are necessary to drav them from their lethargy and disclos' their character.
 The three lessons that all are the bet ter for knowing: That cheerfulness cal change misfortune int to love and friends that, in ordering one's self ari ght, on helps others to do the same; and tha the power of finding beauty in the hum blest things makes homo happy and Tiff lovely.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
The British Miners Dog

There are few things more touching than the love of the British collier for lis dog. To him the animal is more than wife or children; he loves them, too, in his way, but it is on his four footed friend that his not too-tendcr hcart lavishcs its chief affections. And :hc dog reciprocates this regard; be- tween the two there exists a closeness of understanding which serves almost in the place of language to convey thoughts from the one to the other. The pit man expects, however, that his faithful companion shall be ready to fight to the ,icath at any moment. Even if the dog is not that way inclined, he must accom- moda ate himself to his masters humor, and cheerfully submit to be mangled for the honor and glory of the family. Not only, either, must he enter the lists; it is equally incumbent on him to come out winner. "Go it, lad," exclaimed Yorkshire miner as ho looses his pet at another pitman's champion; eff thee gives in, I'll shoot thee" And he would, no doubt, have carried out this threat had not the battle ended ab- ruptly through police interference.
 It appears, therefore, that the miners love is strictly governed by the proved worth of it's object. Accustomed to fight himself, the worthy fellow believes that the deadliest sin of all is to yield before being placed absolutely hors dc combat. It is a true British instinct, and cmi- nently praiseworthy in its way; of such stuff are heroes made. "A peerage or Westminster Abbey" were tho alter natives Nelson placed before himself when entering combat. ''The best of food or dose of lead' are those pre- scnted to his canine hero by the British miner. The dogs seem to perfectly uu- dcrstand and to appreciate these con- ditions; one or the other is almost in- variably killed in the fight. ---ILondon Globe.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
A Difference in Parents.

A Prospect Avenue father was reading aloud from the paper at breakfast the other morning about the musical prodi- gy, Josef Hofmann. When he had finished he remarked to his little daughter who was demurcly eating her hash and johnny-cakc: "Thcrc, Ethel, that boy is bright boy. Now why arc you not as brilliant as hc2' "Why ought not to be- said Ethel. fought not to be? Pray why not" asked hcl father. "WcIl, in the first place." said the little girl with an air of much seri- ousness, "that boy probably had intelli- gent parents" The father did not pursue the subject further.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

A correspondent of tho Philadelphia Ledger says 'it is we'll nigh impossible for any human being now to starve to death in New York, even if he wanted to. In addition to the one cent cup of coffee at certain designated localities along the wharves and other places, the Sanitary Aid Society is establishing model lodging houses, where any sober
 person can find a nights lodging, iu- cluding the luxury of bath, clean bed ding and night clothing, for ten cents. One of these, in Dover street, is now self-supporting, and since it opened it's doors, two years ago, more than 65, 900 persons have been accommodated. The society is now endeavoring to raise money to enable it to enlarge the sphere of its usefulness, and the high character of the men engaged in it is Q guarantee that the effort will be success. The society, while making its benefactions almost free, aims at the same time to give them such direction as must tend to dininish, and not to increase, pau r5~
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
A Big Ferry Boat.

A massive ferry boat, built expressly with view to its ability to crush heavy ice in the Straits of Mackinac, is being constructed at Detroit for the Mackinac Transportation Company. It will ply between Mackinac and Point St. Ignac- The boat will be 235 feet long, 52 feet in breadth and will have compound engines of 5000 horsepower.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

There never was a time in the United StatesSxhcn the commemoration of his- toric deeds by monumental sculpture was so universal as to-day. The idea of erecting suitable memorials to national and state heroes, to feats of arms by in- dividuals, regiments, or brigades, or to signalize some exceptional historical event is conspicuous mark of the gen. eral recognition of worth by all sections of the Un1on, going to show, says Frank Lcslie's newspaper, that republics are not as ungrateful as the old saw hath 1t.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
VOL. XVII.
Alter the Day...Night,

Alter the Day...Night. Love knocked early at my door; In the morn he came to find me, Saying, "Let me cross thy floor,
 And thy chains shall ever bind me-" But turned away my heart;
 Who was love that he should find me, Saying: "Well thou playest thy part, But perchance thy chain would bind me. Noontide past; he sought my door. s'If thou wilt thou still may'st bind mo, And will yet cross thy floor;
 Here again you never find me-" But madly choose my part;
 What cared to stay and find him. Love should never win my heart; Wherefore should pause to bind him: Night is here; and at my door Vainly now seek to find him; Could he only cross my floor, I would give all else to bind him, But again without my door
 shall never waiting find him; He will never cross my floor,- No one thrice has power to bind him.
 -IFrom Temple Bar for December.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

too, Sald Mr5. west. Mary, uear llC- tie thing, was so delighted over the news that she couldn't rest until she fixed upa pretty bouquet to place on MT. Morley's desk so that he would find it when he came down."
 My Goal" screamed Silas. ''Do you mean that"
 "Yes; she went to the mills half an hour ago, and will be here in few minutes"
 With wild shriek of more than mor- tai agony, Silas West staggered for yard and fell senseless to the floor, just as the muff1ed sound of an explosion a mile away rattled the windows of the cottage. -...
 
 It was long time before Silas West recovered from his attack of brain fever, and when at last he was strong enough in mind and body to listen to the sor- row-stricken woman by his bedside, he silently prayed for death. .....
 It was so horrible, Silas," said his weeping wife, to have our little golden haired darling killed in that manner. Shc was manglcd beyond recognition, and the horror of it nearly killed mo. But, Silas, there was one bright gleam in the midst of all oul trouble. Mir. Morley and his wife came here. They had the funeral arrange ments made, and during all the weeks that you have been i'll MT. Morley has footed all the bills and saved us from gratitude that we can never repay"
 She paused in her talk. Her husband had tainted.
 The tragedy caused by tho explosion of the dynamite bomb in MT. Morley's office had been driven out of the public mind by other matters of sensationa inter est before Silas West was able tt return to his work. Some of his fellow operatives told the wretched father that the affair was supposed to be the work of the anarchists, but that no clew had ever been obtained. It was believed that the little girl had waited in the office for Mir. Morley, and the queer. looking package had attracted her at tention. She had probably handled it, and an unfortunate touch had caused it to explode.
 MT. Morley told his wife that Silas West was the most tender hearted man he had ever known. He went back tc work changed man. His face wore a look of hopeless sorrow, but he seemed to be entirely devoted to three things his wife, his work, and MT. Morley.
 "No, said Mr. Morley one day; 1 am not afraid of anarchists in my mills. I treat my workmen like men, and they appreciate it. But if there is any danger that man, Silas West, will warn me in time. For some reason he has an intense hatred of anything like anarchy. If you mention the name of an anarchist in his hearing he turns white and red and grits his teeth. tell you, West has heart of gold! There will be no anarchists around as long as he stays with me-.
 The patient, pale-faced worker In the Morley mills will doubtless go to his grave and make no sign. His wife won. dcrs sometimes at his tenderness, and his employer thinks him little cranky in his rigid sense of duty.
 Silas West alone knows the cause ot his regeE eration and reformation, and his secret has made him a feeble old man, although he is still in his thirties -[ Atlanta Constitution.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

The Tenement House Commission of Philadelphia is building houses which are to be rented to people of very small means. The apartments are to be free from the usual tenement house evils of poor light, foul air and general fl-
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

Great quantities of peanuts are inn ported at the port of Antwerp but not because the Dutch arc fond of crunch ing the fragrant nut at the circus and in crowded cars on the elevated railroad. The nut is brought to Holland purely for business purposes in order to ex- tract the oil. The supply comes wholly from Africa.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

A manufacturer in New York State is engaged in drafting design for car to be made entirely of wood pulp. It will be light, cheap, and indestructible by fire or collision. If it should be thrown off the track it would simply bound into the air and settle down into its place.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

Natural gas was found in town near Des Moines, Iowa, the other day, and, according to the Manning News, the wholo populacc went nearly wild with excitement. Business was suspended, the clocks stopped, the schools closed, the bands turned out and papdemonium seemed to be taking holiday.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

One of the brightest looking little school boys in Washington is a son of the secretary of the Chinese legation. The young mandarin wears magnii- cent costume. Oriental in character and with his school books under his arm he forms striking and interesting picture.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04

A Kentucky judge tried hog case the otherday, and seeing an opportunity for emulating tho omnlsclcnt Solomon, he ordered that the hog be turned loose and allowed to go to whichever pen it wishedsto. It made rush for the sty of one of the contestants, but the other has appealed from tho judgment of both the court and the hog.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
Got Used to Him.

Happy Man (to widow of three hus- lands Whom shall ask to perform thu ceremony, darliag9 That matter, of course. shall leave to you.
 Widow (hesitatingly) Well, dear, haven't any very particular preference, although I've always had the Rev. MT. Goodman.
Connecticut western news., 1888-01-04
Without Doubt They Were.

Little Nell-The gentlemens was real polite to me in the street car. One real nice one gave me scat.
 Mamma-Indeed?
 ''Yes, on his knee."
 "Oh!"
 ''Yes, mamma, an some big girls standing up looked real mad cause no one was polite to them. "-[Omaha