davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
A DESPERATE BATTLE.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla, Jan. IA
terrible fight Of brutes is reported
something without parallel While
eating their dinners yesterday sever
al hunters were startled by loud
bellowings that came from the lake,
accompanied by the well.kuown cry
or grunt Of alligators. On hastily
getting to the bluff most exciting
scene was Witnessed. From the ap-
pearance Of the field it would seem
that one Of the old bulls went to the
shore for water, and, as be was
drinking, big gator swan mp aud
seized his nose. The spectators S
came on the field moment after
ward.
The bull, big black animal, with
q pair Of magnificent sharp horus,
slightly curving backward. was tak-
en- at terrible disadvantage; and be-
gan believing 10 udly and endeavor-
ing to shake off his antagonist.
The gator had secured firm hold,
however, and he clung tenaciously,
churning the water into foam with
his immense tail, the blood stream~
ing from the bulls lacerated nose
already dyeing the waters red. With
a mighty effort the bull plunged
backward, hauling his attachment
partially on dry land, aud then the
fun waxed furious. The bull ren-
dered frantic by the pain, endeavor.
cd to hook the gator, aud, failing in
that, stamped at him and plunged
around madly to get rid of his foe.
Attracted by his bellowings two
other bulls came furiously down the
side, and, seeing the gator, plunged
at him. Observing his new enemies
the latter endeavored to escape, but
too late. One Of them caught his
horn near the gators fore leg and
with All upward toss tore big hole
10 bis side, the sauriau responding
with deep roar of anger and pain.
As the other bull came on the gator
thrashed around with his tail and
gave the animal q terrible blow,
knocking him over on bis side with
. dull thump. His first victim was
now free, and the three thoroughly
infuriated auimsls surrounded their
foe, bsllowiug and with lowered
heads, presenting : picket Of sharp
horns whleh tbe ssuriAn dldn't Ike,
~ attSdi ted n snail iilo the
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
About the Eye.

. The eye is small organ, but il is
big enough to store therein ciuders
weighing ton or less.
The best method OF hunting these
cinders is to project ones head out
Of car window while the train ia in
motion, and gaze at the landscape.
All the cinders in the country will
Immediately fly to the eye aud per-
manently settle there.
A person with bad pupils is schol
ar-blind.
People who cannot soc are blind.
1t is wrong to pull down the blind
We should rather help them oil we
can
The prevailing style Of eye comes
in brown. blue. black and gray.
The basd-paIntsd black eye IL,
however, 70 longer fashionable.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19

water. But bis three OPPONENTS
now began Systematic warfare.
First one would dash ut him, es-
Gaping the flying tail Of the big reps
tile. and give him a dig with his
horns aud endeavor to toss him.
The gator was getting weaker oil
the while, aud, though still game, ht
seemed anxious to cry quits. OuC
of the bulls allowed his anger TO
blind him finally, and as he came on
without his usual caution the rep.
tile wbiled aud delivered sweeping
blow with his tail that caught the
animals legs breaking them like
pipe stems, the old follow falling
with roar Of madness that could
have been heard a mile. while the
saurian's eyes seemed TO CLEAN with
triumph as they glossrsd at his
enemies.
Then ensued rough-and-tumblo
contest which no description could
do justice to. The bulls plunged
vicionsly at him, oftentimes hitting
one another in their mad rushes,
while the alligator swept bis big tail
around in endless circles aud inhic
ting terrible whacks on their sides
and legs. For over twenty minutes
this was continued, the mingled
rears Of tbs infuriated apnhals pro-
ducing indoscribable, ear-splitting
sounds Finally the gator again
seized his first victim by the nose
aud with death grip. The other
animal plunged in, and catching
both horns uuder the gators side
gave him toss, ripping him-up 30
that his eptrails protrndsd.
The effect was seen at once, as
his terrible fail played more feebly,
but his hold on the bulls nose could
not be broken. Several &ore ngly
wounds were make, and the reptiles
roars of anger changed TOT those Of
pain aud fears. His antagonist
charged at him time and ltime again,
decorating him terribly. Finally no
resistance was made, the victor
trampliug on the bloody caresss.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19

WIN suo iuhnu, ouu Wuo uuouS
the first to seck cover. When we
were all inside ! peeped cautiously
from q window aod saw Sloane still
outside. He was on his feet, lean-
ing against a column Of the verauda
and smoking cigar ss coolly az
you please. l shouted for him 10
come in, but he shook his head
Appeals were made hy others, but
he turned q d, af ear.
The cowboy had by this time reach
cd the lower end OF the street and
turned to come back. Flo came at
full gallop, but checked bis horse 10
front Of the hotel and fred three
shots at Sloane from q distance OF
fifty feet The 6rst tipped past his
ear, the other two ont cloth without
drawing blood. We were lookin-
foil at the shooter from the windows,
and as be fred his third shot, with
out bringing his man look OF won
der came to his face, and he bent
forward for closer look, and shout
ed.
who are you, man or devil !?
George sauntered along the steps,
slowly descended, ard approached
the man, and as he came near enough
he grabbed for him. Next instant
the cowboy was pulled off his horse
aad being literally mopped all over
the road. lie tried to use weapon.
but was disarmed with scarcely an
effort, and when George got through
with him he lay as one dead. Rifle,
revolvers and knife were broken and
flung in heap beside him, aud
George sat down on the steps to
finish his smoke. He had kept his
cigar alight through the fracas. /
personally interviewed the doctor
who was called to zee the cowboy,
aud he gave me list OF the injuries
as follows: Left arm broken, thumb
on right band broken, three scalp
wounds, right shoulder probably dis
located, three teeth knocked out,
FIVE bad bruises on various parts OF
the body, one eye closed.
The fight did not last three min
utes, and yet the little giant laid
the fellow up for yearly three good
/ mGatns and taught him lesson NJ
ne ,er forgot ssw laga aIi. taxed .IISsd with
him a year later, and he told me b'
never was 30 scared in his life, anC
that he was not yet entirely vel
from the drubbing'-Ne,o Yorh
San.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
The oravemaksr's Song.

The crab, the bullace and the sloe,
Thy burgeon In the spring;
And when the West wind melts the
snow
The redstarts build and sing.
But Deaths at work In rind and root,
And loves the green buds best
Aud when the pairing music's mute
He spares the empty nest.
Deathl DEATH
Death is master OF Lord and clown;
Close the coffin and hammer 1t down.
When nuts are browe and sers with
out,
And white and plump within.
And juicy gourds are passed about
And trickle down the chin;
When comes the reaper with his
scythe,
And reaps and nothing leaves;
Oh. then It is that Death Is blithe,
And sups among the sheaves.
Death Death
Lower the comm ana sup the coru'
Death Is master OF clown and lord.
When logs about the house are stack
ed,
And next years hose is knit,
And tales are told and jokes are
cracked
And fagots blaze and spit,
Death ats down in the inglenook--
Sits down and both not speak;
But he puts his arm round the maid
that's warm
Aud she tingles In the cheek.
Death! Death!
Death is master OF lord aud clown;
Shovel the clay in, tread 1t down.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
Don't Mortaa~- .hc sarm.

There is in sSp2sg sSp2gr- an rn.s drug
st0re. ~ %hics b. kor over 8 II yeas has
been the headquarters OF the farmers
trading In that city. There they go
for goods, to leave whips. robes and
bundles, to loaf away the evenings
when "down on the jury" and when
in search OF information. Into 1t the
other day there walked a sturdy yeo-
man, his bronzed face and hard horny
hands telling OF exposure to the
weather, and days Of toll. His cloth
ing was good, honest material, and on
his feet were solid cow hide boots.
Walking up to the proprietor OF the
store he inquired for Lawyer Blank.
Now the man from the farm had
such an honest face, such an innocent
look, that the druggist, knowing the
man sought for to be a ''sharper'-in
fact, not u real lawyer ut all-depart'
ed from his rule OF minding his own
business and asked the farmer what
he wanted of lawyer. In a few
words the story was told. 1t seems
the man had worked hard all his days
had bought and paid for u 81 900 farm
had taken a wife, furnised a house,
and now envious OF some of his neigh
bors, wanted to build $500 barn.
To do this he proposed to borrow
the cash, giving mortgage on his
farm. Said the druggist after the
story was told
"Your farm is clear nowf"
"Yes sir ~
"You love your wife ~
"Yes SIR"
"Well," said the merchant, this is
what you should do. Go home and
earn the three hundred dollars first
then build your barn. If you borrow
now, you will think each night as you
lie on your bed that you are on your
bed that you are in debt. You will
fret and worry; your young wife will
do the same; sickness and accidents
may come or poor crop be your por-
tion; there will be three hundred
dollar skeleton in your house. and ten
to one, you don't fret and have row
with your wife. Don't go into the
mortgage business Don't go into
debt! Live within your income, be-
industrious, and when you do build
your barn and own Il, you'll be as
proud Of it as an Englishman is Of his
CASTLE"
For a moment the young farmer hes
itated. On each side were interested
spectators, and all was silence. Grad
uaily the head lowered, and tear
rolled down the cheek. Though only
tiller OF the soil, the man took pride
In his occupation, and wanted that
barn. At last he said:
"Thank you, sir. To tell you the
truth, sir, my wife was a-crying when
l left home because l was going to
mortgage the place. I'll take your
advise and go home as came down.
and she'll be glad to see me, you bet"
There" said the Bangor man, ''that
fellow came to a good, wise conclu-
sion. have seen lots Of misery on
account Of this mortgage business.
He who gives one often gives peace,
and oonisnfment With ~"
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
bURDOCK BLOOD BITTERS.
WHAT XS ITa

A strictly vegetable prepa-
ration, composed Of a choice
and skillful combination Of
Natures best remedies. The
discoverer docs not claim 1t a
cure for all the ills, but boldly
warrants 1t cures every form
Of disease arising from a tor
pid liver, impure blood, dis
ordered kidneys, and where
there Is o broken down condi-
tion OF the System, requiring a
prompt and permanent tonic,
1t never fails to restore the
sufferer. Such Is BURDOCK
BLOOD BITTERS. Sold by all
druggists, who are authorized
by the manufacturers to re-
fund the price to any pur-
chaser who Is not benefited by
their use.
PRICE, BI.Oo.
FOSTER, MlLBURR g. CO., Props,
BUFFALO. NEW YORK.
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
THE LITTLE HERCULES.

Away back 10 the sixties was fin
ancially interested in two or three
Texas enterprises with q man named
George Sloane, That was his right
name, bal 10 many localities in Tex
as he was known ouly as Nervy
George. have seen great many
statements couoerncerning his ad'
ventures iu print, but all more or less
exaggerated. Some of the adven-
lures which came about while we
were in company I will nov give to
the press for the first time.
Sloane was an Ohio boy, and |
made his acquaintance and cLsnmod
with him in. sIuasssohville prison.
We went West together after the
war, aud at that time he was only
27 years old. lie was 6 feet Z
inches high, weighed l6O pounds,
and was the strongest man l ever
saw outside Of q professional wrest-
ler OF canuon,ball tosser. His flesh
was 30 hard that he could crack a
walnut on his leg. % one or two
occasions l knew him to break the
bones in mans baud by single
grip lie took no training of any
sort, hut the strength and rugged
ness were born in him. As il not
satisfied in making him a young
hercules, nature gave him the most
wonderful nerve aud courage. He
once told me that be would give
500 to realize for five minuses what
fear was. saw him in some of the
hottest places man could get into
and I never saw him falter or hesi-
tate or make q mistake in doing just
the right thing
One afternoon after We had finish'
ed up some business in Dallas aud
were ready to 60, We entered q sa'
loon. 1t was full Of gamblers, cow
boys and rough characters generally
and every man wore q revolver ia
plain sight. We were slipping onl
drinks when o hurley. big ruf1ian
who was fighter from way back
Intentionally fell against Sloane witt
considerable force, and then stood
off and leered at him and said:
I'm waitin' fer you to Ak my par.
ding for that, banty."
Sloan never carried weapon oi
any sort while in town. He looked
the fellow over in a quiet way, and
finally asked
:'Do you mean to insult me. sirT
"Insult YET" echoed the other
"Who talks of insults3 Why ye lit
tie game-cock from somebody's
barnyard, I'll give you two minutes
to get down on your knees to me-"
''If you don't ask my pardon be-
fore / finish this glass I'll make
wreck Of you"
BY this time everybody in the 90
loon had crowded around ms, and II
was easy to see We bad no friends
there. There was something il
Eloane's eye and tone which caution
cd the big fellow, and II left to him.
self he would have retired from tn,
scraps. But he was egged on ani
brqced up by the crowd who ached
70 so row, and be stepped back
littla drew his revolver and growled
.Now, banty, get down on youl
nsrspw bones. Or you'll taks dese
q "a. 4
\. SIe3 - lsenad - ~ ~ Vl(h ~
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19
Facts about the Sea.

The sea is the reservoir into which
run oil the rivers OF the world. 1t
is the cistern which finally catches
oil the rain that falls. not only upon
it's own surface, but upon the sur.
face Of the land and upon the roofs
Of our homes. Ali this water is re.
moved again by evaporation as fast
as it is supplied 1t is estimated
that every year a layer Of tho eutir,
sea fourteen feet thick is taken up
into the clouds. This vapor is fresh,
and If all the water could bo rcmov
ed in the same way aud noue Of il
returned it is calculated that thare
would be left layer Of pure salt 23O
feet thick on the bed Of the Allan.
tic.
This is upon the sspposition that
three feet depth OF water contains
one inch depth of salt. aud that the
average depth uf the ocean is three
miles
AT q depth OF about $500 feet the
temperature is uniform. varying but
a trife between tho poles and the
equator. The colder water is below.
Ii is reported that in many deep
bays on the coast of Norway tho
water often begins to freeze at the
bottom before it does ut the surface.
AT this depth waves are not felt.
Waves do not travel-that is, the
water does not move forward, al.
though it seems to do SO; it stays in
the same place: The rising aud
falling moves on.
We measure waves by their height
and by the distance from crest tu
crest. In deep water this latter dis
tance is about fifteen times the
height Of the waves. In shallow
water the proportion is less, and
this makes choppy sea.
The force of the waves is in pro.
portion to their height. 1t is said
that the sea strikes on Bell rocl
with the force OF seventeen tons &c
each square yard.
The pressure Of the water ceasei
as we go down. At the depth of ,
mile this pressure is reckoned a
/, mora than ~ ..'
The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-01-19

that IL, ia oTe ,n"S1 nNi1rh Z ~. O. ,
pressure Of the atmosphere.
To got correct sounding in deep
water is difficult A shot weighing
thirty pounds carries down the line
Through this sinker a hole is bored,
and through tho hole ia passed n rod
OF iron which moves easily back and
forth. In the end of the bar cup
is dug out, aud the inside is coated
with lard. The bur is made fast to
the line aud sling holds tho shot
on.
When the bar, which extends be.
low the shot, touches the bottom,
the sling uuhooks and the shot
slides off Tue cup in the end of
the bar holds some of the sand, or
whatever may be on the bottom, and
a cover shuts over the cup TO keep
the water from washing the sand
out. 10 this way we learn the char
acter of the deep sea bottom
1t will be seen at once that we can
know the depressions of the bottom
OF the ocean more easily and more
accurately than we can learn the
elevation of the land. Asa conse-
quence we have q better typogra-
phical map Of much of that surface
than we have OF The continents.
The depth OF the sea presents
some interesting considerations. II
the Atlantic were lowered 1894 feet
it would be reduced to half it's pres
ent width. If it were lowered lit
tie more than three miles there
would be dry land all the way be-
tween Newfoundland aud Ireland.
II the Mediterranean were lower ed
66O feet, Africa would bo joined to
Italy and three separate seas would
remain.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-19
RELIGIOUS GLEANlNGS.

There are S,7S9 Baptist communicants in New Hampshire.
 The Mccormick Theological seminary at Chicago has IF students.
 There are Young Mems Christian associa- tions at Jerusalem, Beyrout, Damascus, Jaffa and Nazareth.
 Ash Wednesday comes and Lent begins on Feb. 15 this year, Shrove Tuesday thus fall ing on St. Valentines day.
 Since the Methodist board of church exten- sion, north, began it's work in the year 1865, it has helped to build 5,S05 churches. It has collected and disbursed nearly &, ,O0O, ,O00.
 The Protestant Episcopal church of the United States reports for 1887, Q total of 437, ,7S5 communicants, an increase of 19,215. There is an increase of ninety clergymen, the total being 3,S35.
 There are in Russia 34 Baptist churches, Al pastors and evangelists, 82 Sunday schools and 12,371 church members. The number baptized last year was $50. The work is car- ried on amid many difficulties, but is yet quite prosperous.
 The oldest Gin term of service) editor of a religious paper in the United States is Rev. O. D. Babb, D. D., of The Herald and Pres pyter; next is Dr. Henry M. Field, of The Evangelist, and third is Dr. Monfort, of The Herald and Preshyter.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-19
ACTORS, SINGERS, MUSICIANS.

Stuart Robson says that he does not belong to a church.
 Boucicault's new play, "Cushla Machree," is based on an old novel.
 Minnie Maddern is rehearsing new play by Steele Mackaye, called t Infinito."
 It is said that Mckee Rankin's ambition to play Macbeth :" has been fully sated.
 Edwin F. Mayo is soon to produce new play by Detroit newspaper man, with Olga Verne as his leading lady.
 MT. John Mackaye, it is now definitely de- cided, will start out upon lis travels at the head of his own company Jan. 30.
 Emma Nevada was singing in Florence at last accounts. She goes thence to Russia and will sing in England again next year.
 The May Fisk variety company was re- gently robbed and abandoned by its treasurer in the unsettled and chilly wilds of western Colorado.
 The Cincinnati Musicians Protective union has decided that no member shall play in an orchestra with women under penalty of ex- pulsion and a fine of $lO0 if he applies for re- instatement.
 John T. Sullivan, who plays the part of De Targy in "A Parisian Romance" is not from Detroit, as has been stated. He was born on Bear Island, near the extreme southwestern coast of Ireland.
 Smaller towns in the west are being amused by a troupe composed of three Chinese young men, who give a show por- traying the manners and customs of the heathen in China.
 Tue negotiations between Mime. Modjeska and Eben Plympton were concluded by tele graph Jan. 10, and MT. Plympton will take the place of William Morris as leading man for Modjeska at tho beginning of her engage ment at the Fourteenth Street theatre, New York, on Jan. 30.
 Annie Oakley, whose skill with the rife made her one of the attractions of Buffalo Bills Wild West show, has returned to this country. Her husband, MT. Butler, says Buffalo Bill and John l.. Sullivan showed si- simultaneously in Birmingham, with the re- suit that 147 spectators viewed the Wild West, while nearly 5000 persons admired the pugilist.
 Lotta-or rather her agent, though she probably inspired him-has offered to supply street names to the lamp posts and corners of Pittsburg, a city that is as poorly off in that regard as Brooklyn. She makes the offer worthless, however, by stipulating that the word Lotta, in letters as big as those used in the name of the street, shall be affixed to every sign. 5'-.
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-19
BREAKERS AHEAD.

Ireland stands in 8 peculiar position just now. In danger of shipwreck from unex- pected causes, it will need the care and caution-the watchfulness and wisdom of all truly and unselfshly interested in her safety to ward off the impending evils
 The evils this time do not present them selves in new efforts of the enemy; neither Salisbury, in Downing street, nor Balfour in Dublin Castle, are charged with the new dangers; they do not come from the vigor- ous execution of Coercion Laws, or from the efforts of landlords in the hellish work
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-01-19
N.Y.&N.E. Railroad Time Table.

Trains Leave Waterbury as Follows: Boston-7-3O a m. l. a40pm.
 Return s.So a m. pm ProVidence-5.30a a. m: l.00. 34Opm
 Return. 9 i5 a. m: 3 30 ID. m. New Iork-s.o0 a: m: lsspm
 Return, s-5i a. m: ass D. m worcester-7sO a. m: LOO. ID. m.
 Return, 6.45. 9.3O a. m. Norwich-7.ss1 a. m.: loo 3.4Op m
 Return s.S5, l0.42 a. m: a.a5 D. m. New London-s.9O a. m; loo. a4Op.m.
 Return. 9-S5. lo.05 a m; goo p. m. Putnam-7.3O a- m: loo a4op.m
 Return. s.I5. i0.45 a. m. Willimantic-7-30 a m: loo 34Opm
 Return BIO ll.Ss a. m; 5.a5 pm. Springtield-7.30 300 n m: 340pm
 Return. 7.5O a. m: S.sO D. m New llaven-yia Plainvile. 7.sO a m: loo D. m.
 Return, lI.oI a. m. LOO F. m IIartford-7.30 800 a. m: LOO 70 soonm
 Return, 6So, i0.s a. m: ls B. sl IS c 70 m New Iritain-7.3O, 800 a. m: loo 8 10. 500 ID. m.
 htturI' oSo ll-oi a. m.; l253 I.as. 65s pm. PiainTille--1 90 goo a. m: loo a.4o. 500 D. m.
 heturn.Ng7 ii-l5 a. m. l.os. 5.50. EOS D. m. Forcstville- sol 900 a. m: sao. soOp.m.
 Return 7.la lI-so a. m; fI.0S. I.54. f7.Is pm. Bristol-7.sO, 800 m: loo, a4o soOp.m.
 Return, 7-a, -s6 a. m; I.l4 500. 7ls p m. rerrYTillsm5?e; Re9nr5 ss sGg m; loo $4c SooP% Waterville-'.So a. m: 3Ap soopm.
 Return. 7.iS. lI.55 a. Nn-; 5s7 7.I5 D. ma Union City-fs,cO a. m: fs.A f5.ss pm
 Return, fs.is a. m.; flsy2 f7.is D. m. Towantic-fs.0O q. m: f. .05. f5.ssp
 Return. fs.32, fill .52 a- m: f1.Ss n m Southford-SoO a. m.: l.55, a05 5.ss p m
 Return. s.2S. 1l.+0 d. m: l2.a6 1.3l D. m Hawleyville-S00 a m.; I.55, sna 53s D. m
 Return. s.5I. a.i5. ll-5s a. m; 7.0i P. m- Danbury-S.O0 a. m.: I.55. 205 s3s pm Return. 7-40. 9.l0. II. .45 a. m; 6.50 p m Brewsters-S.0O a. m: 1.55. a05pm Return, 6.Io, 1l-2o d. m; 6.3O D. m. fishkill on Hudson-So0 n. m.: I.55 D. m Return. l0o5 a. m: sos D. m.
 A. C. KENDALL Genl Pass Agent. Boston.