davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Trick Of a Hindoo Conjurer.

After number of tricks too familiar
to justify mentioning here, the conjurer
covers his head with a cloth for a min
ute, and then reappears with brass eye
balls, with small hole bored in the CEN
ter OF each to represent the pupils; and
his mouth is rendered hideous with set
OF teeth belonging to some animal. In
this horrible make up the old Hindoo
tom-toms on a small oblong drum, while
one of his assistants sings in broken Eng
lish Buffalo Gals" He then openly re-
moves the false teeth, and taking out the
brass eyeballs, he casts them jingling on
the gravel at my feet. They are simply
hemispheres of sheet brass, and fitted
closely over the eyeballs beneath the lids.
The conjurer's eyes water visibly after
the brass covers are removed: and well
enough they might; there is no slight of
hand about this, it is purely an act of
self torture.-Thomas Stevens in Outing.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
DESTROYING THE DIES.
An Execution at the Philadelphia Mint
Crushed by n SIedge Hammer.

An Execution at the PhtIadeIphta m1nts
Crushed by n sledge Hammer.
A little roll of metal red with fire was
placed upon the anvil, sledge hammer
fell twice upon it, three tiny sparks shot
into the air, and the molds of the old
years double eagle gold coins were wiped
out forever. twas thousandth part of
the work that lasted all day at the mint,
the destroying of the 1887 dies.
This is novel form of destruction that
falls to the lot of the money making es-
tablishment's blacksmiths at the end of
each calendar year, and is the only sure
way of preventing the willy counterfeiter
from making spurious coin without re-
gard to date. The dies Of the mint are
the stamps that imprint on the coin all
that fancy business that, when rubbed
off by time, gives the street car con-
ductor d chance to insult the holder by
refusing to accept it. For instance, it
stamps on the dollar the face of the beau
tiful lady encircled by stars and makes
strong contrast on the other side by print
ing game looking eagle perched on ar
rows under Sin God we trust"
The die is little round chunk of steel
about three inches long, sloping off at the
top, which makes it look like minia-
ture milkmans can without handles.
On the top of it is cut the face of the
coin it manufactures, with the date of
the year, and something to think about
when you look at them is that the die of
a penny costs the government no less than
the die that makes the precious $40 gold
piece. Conner Steel of the mint, signed
the death warrant of the old years dies.
1t meant the destruction of thousand
of 1878 money makers. Every stamp,
from double eagles to dollars in gold,
from dollars to ten cent pieces in silver,
the fves in nickel and the pennies in
copper were doomed.
The place of execution was the gloomy
shop in the basement, weirdly lit by
hungry freight. At $3.50 o'clock the
dies were taken from their cells upstairs
and conveyed thither in black, coffin like
pans. Coined gold jingled merrily on
all sides as the procession passed. What
regret had gold for the steel that gave it
power to ruin souls2 So the dies of 81
passed to their fate unwept.
The little Coiners of big money were
first sacrificed. The dies of gold were
flung by handfuls into the flames. There
they lay until the steel grew red and the
face of Columbia blushed crimson. They
were not taken out by hand, but with
iron tongs, and placed right end up on
the anvils. Then the smith raised his
sledge hammer aloft and struck each enc
full in the face. A shower of sparks, a
smashed sound and the agony was over.
The ring of the steel had gone, the face
vanished like magic and the die of the
past was but crushed, unshapely metal.
Philadelphia Press.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
GOVERNMENT EXPERTS REPORT
Concerning Gems and Precious Stones
Found in the United States.

Concerning Gems and Precious Stones
Found in the United States.
The report of George F. Kunz, the ex-
pert in gems, which has just been issued
by the geological survey, contains much
interesting information relating to the
discovery of precious stones in the United
States. The list of accidental finds
throughout the country is large enough
to be inspiring. Mr.. Kunz calls them
accidental, and then says that at Salida,
Colo, over ton of garnets have been
picked up during the year. They find
garnets of the same sort in Lewiston,
Idaho. Some of the pure, clear quartz,
when it comes in big chunks, is quite
valuable. They found some very large
masses in Virginia early in the year
They were reported as transparent
crystals of quartz, one weighing 642
pounds, another $40 pounds. When
these reached New York, however, they
proved not to be crystals, but veins of
translucent quartzite, with crystalline
markings of a group rather than of a
single crystal. and the clear spaces, which
were only observed on these crystalline
sides, would not afford crystal ball
Ai1OiO tilth OilC lllCil III uldultltT. he
larger part was almost white with flaws
''Such would do, however, to sell to
tourists, " says Mr.. Kunz, naively.
Some amethysts have been found dur
ing the past year at Deer Island, Me.
also few amethysts are found at Burr
vile, r. I. A precious stone of much
interest is an opaque white hydrophane
discovered in Colorado. The finder has
named it magic stone" because, as
usual with this mineral, it possesses the
property of becoming absolutely trans
parent if water is dropped slowly on it
from one to three minutes. 1t is so
porous that it will absorb its own weight
of water. 1t quickly RECEIVERS its opac-
ity. A beautiful pink chalcedony has
been found at Cisco, Utah. 1t admits of
a high polish, but it has not yet been in.
PRODUCED in any quantity.
T. F. Lamb and G. G. Hatch mined for
time at the Mount Apatite locality, near
Auburn, Me-, and found tourmaline gems
and minerals to the value of $500. This
locality will be further worked. Quite a
large number of the yellow, green and
white beryls found in Litchfield county
have been nicely cut and extensively sold.
The cut gems sold during the past year
are valued at $4,000, but a large part of
this sum probably represents the cutting
and other necessary expenses. The Ma
rion Bullion company, at Marion, N. c.,
does not make business of digging for
gems, but Col. Deming has found SC
many garnets there that it paid him to
sell them in quantities to manufacturing
jewelers.. There was also one fine ame-
thyst of magnificent purple color and
over one inch across, fine aquamarinas
from one to six carats in weight and
some beautiful chloritic inclusions in
quartz, which, when polished show very
fine landscape effects. Washington Cor.
New York Sun.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
A Paper Chase in France.

Speaking of aristocratic sport" said a
Frenchman visiting here, reminds me
to say that our sport is mostly of that
character. Such great games as we have
are played mainly by the titled persons
and the military. The leading one I
think of is paper chase ON horseback,
conducted in very much the same way
that the English and Americans play
hare and hounds. With us two of the
most intrepid horsemen start from a
given point at a set time and mark their
course by scattering bits of paper as they
go. They stop not for barriers of any
description and disdain roads. The pack
also on horseback pursues them and
catch them if they can. This game is
always accompanied by a considerable
concourse of spectators in carriages, who
keep up with the pursuit as best they
can by driving along the roads. 1t is a
great game and calls for the exercise of
no little nerve and vigor. The courses
are from fifteen to twenty miles in
length. New York Cor. Philadelphia
Times.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10

Taxes are based upon the estimates of
the collector as to what can be paid.
There were appraisements of property,
and there are appraisements yet. The list
of mobiles, however, pay only enough to
keep up the appearance of paving. The
middle classes-those who have enough
property in farms, etc., to make them a
living when worked, and those who gen.
orally become Nihilists on account of the
despotism-pay the burden. The tax
collector watches closely the property of
these people, and if they reroof house,
paint, build a new structure or a fence,
"reappraisement' is directly made,
though the man may have just paid his
taxes, and additional taxes are de-
manded. They must be paid instantly.
The laws about confiscating property of
persons who refuse to pay taxes are
simply awful. If the property owner
makes any fuss about the matter he is
classed as conspirator, a conniver
against the government. and some fine
day or night he is called upon by officers
who look like innocent citizens. He
leaves his family ito go to town." and
next he is seen in the spirit land. He
goes to the shooting gallery or Siberia. -
Moscow Cor. New Orleans Times-Dem-
OCrat
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Fluctuations of Rainfall.

OF all current meteorological phe-
nomena, rainfall is the most irregular,
both as to time and place. The rainfall
of one year may be double or treble that
of the year before or the year following.
AT any one station these fluctuations are
ordinarily SO great as to thoroughly mask
any secular change. 1t may vary greatly
from place to place, even though the dis
lance be small, while the change of the
location of a gauge from the ground to
the top of house may make it give very
different indications. For these reasons
it is apparent that reliable results, in re-
gard to general increase or decrease of
rainfall, are to be obtained only by COM
bining a large number of observations
scattered over many years and over the
greatest possible variety of conditions
Henry Gannett in Science.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Didn't Know Her.

"Why didn't you get up and give her
your seat or permit me to give her miner"
said woman to her husband They had
just got off car. The woman's face ex.
pressed great anxiety of mind. why
should we give her a seat9" the husband
asked. 'Just because she was SO richly
dressed, l suppose" he added. ''Is it
possible that you did not know herr" the
wife exclaimed. "Of course; l am not
supposed to know every well dressed
woman who comes along" "Oh James,
she is our cook, and am afraid she will
treasure up against us our lack of
courtesy" "Why didn't you tell me?'
the husband exclaimed. The woman did
not reply, but. trembling violently, leaned
heavily upon his arm.-Arkansaw
Traveller.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Wilkie Collins at Home,

Wilkie Collins lives in pleasant, sub
stantial house in Gloucester place, Port
man square, London. He suffers much
from nervous prostration and govt in the
eyes; but, notwithstanding this, the
commands of his physician and the ad-
vice of his friends, he will persist in
weaving the wild, weird stories SO favor
able to the production of goose flesh in
the British public. The great novelist
admits himself that what he needs is
Goodness, peace and quiet" At the
same time he cannot endure the noise Of
travel, and while he remains at home the
temptations of his library and writing
table are too much for him.-Frank Les
lies.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Type Made from Paper,

Type made from paper is the latest
novelty. A process has been patented in
England by which large type used for
placards can be made from pulp. Such
letters are at present cut on wood. The
pulp is reduced to powdered or COM
minuted state, after which it is thoroughly
mixed with a water proofing liquid or
material, such as paraffine oil or dry
ing linseed oil, for instance. The mixture
is then dried and subsequently pulverized.
In its pulverized state it is introduced into
mold of the requisite construction to
produce the desired article-type or
block-and then subjected to pressure to
consolidate it and heat to render tacky or
adhesive the water proofng material.
Finally, the type is cooled while in mold,
SO as to cause it to retain its shape and
solidity. Chicago News.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
UNCERTAINTIES.

Pink linen bonnet,
Pink cotton gown,
Roses printed IN it,
Hands burnt brown.
Oh! blithe were all the piping birds, and the
golden belted bees,
And blithe sang she on the doorstep, with her
apron full of peas.
Sound of scythe and moving,
Where buttercups grew tall;
Sound of red kline lowing
And early milkmaid's call.
Sweet she sang on the doorstep, with the young
peas In her lap,
And he came whistling up the lane, with the rib.
bons in his cap.
You called me bad penny
That wouldn't be sent away
But here's good-by TO you Jenny,
For many and many day.
There's talk of cannon and killing
Nay. never turn so white.
And I've taken the kings shilling
I took it last night"
OH merry, merry piped the thrushes up in the
cherry tree,
But dumb she sat on the doorstep, and on.
through the gate went he.
Scent of hay and summer;
Red evening sky;
Noise of fife and drummer;
Men marching by.
The hay will be carried presently and the cher.
TleS gathered all,
And the corn stand yellow in the shocks, and the
leaves begin to fall.
Perhaps some evening after,
With no more song Of thrush,
The lads will cease their laughter
And the maids their clatter hush;
And word of blood and battle
viii mix with the sound of the fail,
And lowing of the cattle
And clink of the milking pail;
And one will read half fearful,
list of names aloud,
And few will stagger, fearful,
Out of the little crowd.
And she, perhaps half doubling,
Half knowing why she came,
vii. stand among them, pouting,
And hear. perhaps, his name
Will weep, perhaps, a little, as she wanders up
the lane,
And wish one summer morning were all to do
again.
Mary Probyn in Macmillans Magazine.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Milk as a Stimulant.

Milk heated to much above 100 dogs.
Fahrenheit, loses for a time degree of
its sweetness and density. No one who,
fatigued by over exertion of body and
mind, has ever experienced the reviving
influence of tumbler of this beverage,
heated as hot as it can be slipped, will
willingly forego resort to it because of
its being rendered somewhat less accept
able to the palate. The promptness with
which its cordial influence is felt is in
deed surprising. -Medical Record.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Shipa of America.

The following is late computation OF
the ships owned by and flying the flags
of the Latin-American countries: Sail
ing vessels-Chili, 1856; Brazil, 100; Ar
gentine Republic, 6S; Mexico, A; Uru-
quay, "a; Peru, 81; Hayti, 90; Mica
ragua, "a; Venezuela. II; Colombia, 7;
Salvador, 8; Costa RIGA, A; Bolivia, 8;
Santo Domingo, 2; Honduras, /; total,
494. Steamships-Brazil, so; Chill, 80;
Argentine Republic, %; Mexico, IA;
Peru, 8; Uruguay, A; Venezuela, 8;
Hayti, 2; Costa RIGA, 2; Ecuador, /;
Santo Domingo, /; Honduras, L; total,
160--Chicago News.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
The Richness of Our Soil.

English Tourist Ito citizen passing White
House grounds, Washington monument
in the distance)-Oh, er, say, y'know,
what is that blooming obelisk there2
Citizen politely)-One of Cleopatra s
needles, sir They grow to that size
when transplanted to this soil.
English tourist makes a note of H.
Texas Siftings.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Action of Drugs.

1t is asserted that if you desire speedy
action of drugs swallowed, as if you gave
them hypodermically, administer them
in hot water. One half the dose will
suffice if given hot, as it is quickly alb
sorbed from the stomach and the force of
the drug thrown upon the system at
once. Medical World.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Life at n Big Hotel.

There are many New Workers who
have lived their lives in one or more of
the big hotels in the city. A silver
haired patron of the Fifth Avenue has
been there twenty-five years. and he
modestly says that in that time his lodg-
ings and meals and incidentals have cost
him 800, 000.-Good Housekeeping.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Fruit from Across Water.

Philadelphia. next to New York, re-
ceives more fruit from across the ocean
than any other port. When the regular
season begins two or three steamers
arrive every week, each containing from
10000 to 10000 boxes of oranges and
lemons, making an average of go,
boxes of fruit received weekly Chicago
Times,
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
The Paradise of Dnlls.

Saxony and Thuringia are the home
and paradise of dolls. The annual pro-
duction of dolls stockings alone in Sax
ony is 35, 900 dozen. Thousands of shoe
makers find constant employment in
making dolls shoes. The export of dolls
to England, France and America is very
large, and increasing every year.-New
York Tribune.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Hybridixing the Potato.

An attempt to infuse new vigor into
the degenerating potato by crossing the
cultivated varieties with the wild plant
has been for two or three seasons in pro-
gress at Reading, England, and has
proven very successful thus far. The
hybrid plants produce a good yield o.
tubers of excellent form aud quality. -
Boston Budget.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Cause of Color blindness

Prof. w. Ramsay suggests that color
blindness is probably a defect of the
brain instead Of the eye. 1t is analogous
to the dullness which prevents a person
from distinguishing an octave's differ
ence between two musical notes, though
both notes are heard, there being no deaf
ness.-Arkansaw Traveller.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Private Railroad Cars.

There are 200 private railroad cars in
the United States, representing a value
of nearly $4,000 900. They are worth
anywhere from 81, 900 to 100000 each,
the most luxurious, probably, being that
owned by George NJ. Pullman.
York Evening World.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
English Game Laws.

Game laws in England are remnant
of the forest laws imposed by William
the Conqueror, who, to preserve his
game, made it forfeiture of property to
disable a wild beast, and loss of eyes to
kill a stag, buck or bear.-Boston Bud.
get,
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
One Good Way.

An exchange has an article headed,
"How to Make japanese Fan" One
good way would be to dress japanese
in buffalo robe, put a mustard plaster
on his scalp, and then stand him over the
register. -Somerville Journal.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10

The Oldest general of the United States
army is William Selby Harvey. He was
born near Nashville, Tenn, in 1909, and
entered the army in 1918. He was
brevetted major general on March 10,
1865.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10
Nothing New.

1t is mistake to think volapuk is a
new language. The brakemen on pas
senger trains in this country have used it
for years to call out the names of stations.
Peoria Transcript.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10

The trouble with most people who be-
lieve that charity begins at home is that
they never allow it to go outdoors for
exercise. Baltimore American.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10

Professor Virchow, in his new work.
declares that cancer is durable.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-02-10

Ferrets are trained to hunt rats in New
York houses.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20
List of PREMlUMS
To be awarded at the Twcnty-First
KEYTESVILLE FAIR
0CtObsr 2, 3, 4, S & 6.
Our Invitation for 1888.

You are required to come to this Fair.
Tuesday, October ID, and remain all the
week. Bring all your family but leave the
dogs at home. What kind of Fair do you
suppose this is going to be7 The best in
the state. No intoxicating drinks, no gam
bling devices. Beat of order will be en-
forced and all are expected and required
TO conduct themselves as ladies and gen.
'lemen. Good crops and good behavior
prevail in Charlton county. We have the
most intelligent and cultivated people on
the face of the globe, more wheat and corn
than any county, and no Aeas nor mad
dogs. Cleveland and Harrison will not be
here, bat all the rest of the world will be.
This will be an old-fashioned Agricultural
Fair, with just such an attachment in the
shape of horse races as would please the
most fastidious Kentuckian. Visitors can
rest assured of good weather; it has been
spoken for in time. If there is anything
that could be said to induce q person to
come, | wish could say il. Come to the
Fair. 1t is health, knowledge and pleas.
ure. Close your houses; put up a sign,
"Gone to the Fair to stay week" The
atre will be in full blast. Good hotel on
the grounds, two good hotels in town, six
nice boarding houses, and "narry" saloon
Ten million pounds of tobacco raised in
Charlton this year. Just think of it! II
persons desire to change their cash pre-
miums for town lots in Keytesvil.e, an
early application should be made to the
secretary. Parents are requested to bring
all their children, and have their face:
clean. Everything we have will be in the
front windows of the Fair. The world i.
invited. Won't you favor yourself anC
your little ones for just once in your lif,
and come? You are welcome. All W,
have is yours, but please don't take it ava,
with you. Respectfully,
| WM. Z. HILL.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20

The report that the commissioners
now at the lower agencies will soon
return TO Standing Rock to treat with
the Indians for the opening of the
reservation has aro.sed no small
amount Of excitement among oppos-
ing reds. While it is believed that
many of the young Indians may
sign, if the proper pressure is
brought to bear, it is known that Sit
ting Bull, Gall, Bear and Big Head
are as bitterly opposed to the plan
as ever.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20

Miss JENNIE MCKENZIE, aged II,
only daughter of the richest farmer
of Blue Rapids, Kan, In trying to
initiate the feats of contortionist
whom she had recently seen at cir
Gus not long since, placed both feet
behind her head, but was unable to
remove them. Becoming frightened,
she gave hard pull at one leg and
released 1t, but dislocated the thigh.
Her screams brought her mother,
and with the assistance of physi-
clan, the other limb was released and
the dislocated thigh set.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20

ABOUT 400 postoffice clerks in New
York City held secret meeting one
day last week in an uptown hall
In that city for the purpose Of form
ing an association to redress their
grievances. Although the clerks in
seventy-nine first-class offices in the
United States have had a national
association for years, yet those in
New York have just formed a branch
organization.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20

THE president in his recent letter
of acceptance has called attention to
the danger of contracting the curren-
cy by plling up surplus in the
treasury. 1t ought not to be over
looked that the boarding up of money
in the treasury is depressing values
and causing farmers to mortgage
their lands. Readers of this letter
will notice that Mr.. Cleveland lays
great stress on The question of con-
tracing the currency.
Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1888-09-20

FoR the last week prairie fires
have been raging fiercely IN the vi
cinity of BIsmaIk. Dakota. The
grass is considerably higher and
drier tins year than ever before and
burns quite readily. A vast amount
of prairie was covered by the fire
for several days last week. Though
many miles away it was observed
quite clearly. There was a rumor
that whole family had fallen vic
TINS to the flames, but it has not yet
been confirmed.