davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
The First PhonOgraDh

A gentleman recently repeated to me an account given him by Thomas Edison of the making of the first phono- graph. Busily engaged in innumerable things, MT. Edison carried in his mind for long time the idea of the phono. graph, turning 1t over and over, and from time to time jotting down sketches ard memoranda concerning its construc- tion. At length he sald to an old Ger man machinist, who made models for him, that hc wanted machine con- structed in a certain manner, but for the use of it he gave no hint. Now and then, as the work went on without see ing tho model, MT. Edison ordered cer- tain changes, which, of course, were duly made.
 Finally the German was told to bring the machine for examination. MT. Edi son fitted into it the sheet of tinfoil, and turning the crank spoke into the funnel the somewhat familiar voice about Mary and her little lamb. The German re garded him as if he thought he hac gone mad; but when Mir. Edison re versed the motion and the phonograpl ripingly repeated his stanza, the sole man threw up his hands in the utmos astonishment.-[Providence Journal
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

and battcns of aparejos. Tho black smith shop irons the wood work from the carpenters, makes bolts and such other iron work as may be necessary about the prison and post. In the tailor shop is made the prison clothing.
 Besides these modes of disposing of their labor the prisoners quarry rock, burn lime, erect the prison building, aud are loaned to the depot quarter master for work on the roads, being charged up to that department at so much per day.
 Prisoners do tho cooking, baking and washing, all dono with special and new style machinery. Tho dining room will accommodate half tn, prisoners at ono time and everything moves like clock work. At a signal the prls oners seat themselves and rise after eating. The diet is the army ration, supplemented by the pri'on farm products-more than two-thirds of the vegetables consumed coming from this source. The time al- lowed for each meal is twenty five min utes, and the prison records show that the alimentation of prisoners is adequate 10 maintain tho m in their normal status throughout their imprisonment. Work ing hours range from seven and half to nine hours per day, varying with the season, and there seems to be no especial tendency on the part of the men to shirk their tasks Globe Democrat.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Indians of British Columbia.

The stranger who first visits Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is struck by the great number of Indians who live in the city. They wear cloth ing of the European style. The men work on the wharves and steamers, sel fish and skins, or are occupied in differ ent trades, particularly as carpenters. The suburbs of Victoria are almost ex- clusively inhabited by Indians. There they live in miserable, filthy shanties and sheds, or even in thin canvas tents. The city has about thirteen thousand inhabitants, and of these about two thousand are Indians who stay there over summer. Besides these, about three thousand Chinese, many Sandwich Islanders, few negroes, and a white population coming from all parts of Europe and America, live in the city. The internationally of the population and its easy going ways give it pecu- liar character. - Popular Science Monthly.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
A Venerable Pair of Pistols.

MT. D. T. Sheriff of Prince Georges county, Maryland, has sent to the Bal timore American office an interesting pair of lint-lock pistols manufactured by Moore of London about 176O. They are perfectly preserved. They were formerly the property of Washington Warning of Baltimore county and were used by some of his ancestors in the revolutionary war. They arc about six inches long with brass brooches. In order to fire them duplex slido on top is pulled back, releasing the paa cover and allo owing room to cock the hammer, the cooking of which discovers the trigger, which lies concealed until prepared to fire. When the trigger is pulled, the hammer holding a piece of flint stone about one half of an inch square and ono eighth thick, tapered to a wedge shaped point, comes in contact with the perpendicular portion of the pan cover, throws it forwarl and the sparks are directed by the impetus of the hammer into the powder pan below and ignites the ch,rge.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Iron and Stone Houses.

There is nothing so marked in the most elegant buildings put up in the fashionable quarters during the past year as the prominence given to stone and iron, says the Philadelphia Times. Tho use of wrought iron for doors, showing the vestibule through glass within, has become so general that hun dreds of householders have either had new doors made introducing it, or had panels taken out of their front doors, and iron work inserted. So with win- dows, Not only are ornamental iron grilles upon cellar windows feature in new houses, but regular barred upper windows, such as seen in old Spanish houses, have begun to make their ap- pearance, and are quite in keeping with the present medieval tendencies of domestic architecture
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Medical Students at Work.

However revolting the idea of dis secting may be, it is absolutely neces- sary to the study of medical science. The law provides for the medical insti- tutions sufficient number of bodies from the paupcr d cad to meet all their requirements. In this city fully 1000 bodies are utilized for dissectiug pur- poses each year. The College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons requires about 24O of these. It has the finest dissecting room in the world, we'll ventilated and containing forty table. These are of modern design and simple in construc- tion, consisting of an iron frame sup ported by four iroa legs, upon which rests slab of slate weighing 200 pcuads. Five students arc assigned to each table, so that with the forty tables 200 mon are enabled to work at the same time. In room adjoining the dissectiug room thero are several tables intended to bo used for lectures on operative surgery. This branch of in- struction is designed to teach students to operate upon dead subjects before experimenting upon the living. Pro- ceeding still farther into these mysteri- ous cham bers of horror we come to the room where the bodies are embalmed. Here may be seen row of ghastly corpses, stretched side by side upon Q long slab awaiting tho preserving pro- cess. Back of the embalming room is the bone room, where skeletons are pro- pared and mounted for the students.
 Each student is entitled to the skele- ton of the subject he has dissected. A large furnace is continually in action here, used in the process of drying dis articulated skeletons. ca all sides of the room arc piles of bones and skulls that have already been dried. From this room an elevator runs down to the basement of tho building, where the huge refrigerators are situated. These are made purposely to contain dead bodies, and arc marvels of constr ruction. The whole dissecting room system of this college is incomparable. Many students pursue their anatomical studies at night. Clad in loose flowing calico gowns, scalpel in hand, they laugh and jest merrily as they divide tendon after tendon and separate muscle from muscle in their investigations into the deep and intricate structure of the human frame. The medical students of New York are not so closely associated together as those in smaller cities. They do not, as . rule, meet after class hours They seem to be swallowed up in the vast sea of lifo which encompasses them. New York Sun.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
The HI gheSt Waterfalls.

According to recent calculation, the highest waterfalls in the world arc the three Krimbs Falls in the Upper Prinz- gau; theso falls have total height of 1, 14S feet. The three falls next in height are found in scandinavia--thc Verne Foss, in Romsdal, 9S4 feet; tho Vettis Floss, on the Sogne Fjord, S53 feet; tho Rjuken Floss, in Thelemarken, S04 feet. With a decrease in height of 213 feet, the three Velino Falls, 591 feet, near Zerni the birthplace of Taci- tus), follow next in order, and they arc succeeded by the three Tessa Falls, in the Val Formazzo, 541 feet. The Gas tein Falls, in the Gastein Valley, 469 feet, rank between the Skjagg gedal Foss, in the Hardanger Fjord, 424 feet, and the Boring Floss, in the samo fjord. If the width of the falls is taken into con- sideration, the most imposing arc those of the Victoria Falls of tho Zambesi. which are 394 feet high, with width of 8, 200 feet. A long way behind these falls come the Niagara Falls, 177 feet high and i, ,96s feet wide. e.-- Scientific American.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
The TutOred and PhilOsOphic Piute.

A prematurcly old and shrivelle1 Pluto was summing himself on rock near his wickiup, below the Ophir dump. With motionless form and grim, sober visage, he sat pensively eyeing the dis tant, snow-capped mountains. Appar- cntly he was overhauling the past, aud thinking of tho many glorious feats of valor he had long ago performed by wood anl stream among those same lofty hills, and of how different good many things are now from what they were then, before the tricky pale face had sneaked in and gobbled up tho poor Flutes birthright.
 A San Francisco laly and gentleman were walking by the campoodie on their way to inspect tho California mill. Af- ter they had passed about rod beyond the dusky old muser ho suddenly re- called himself, and vociferated ahearty, rousing "Good morning, madam!"
 The startled lady turned ar ound and said: "Why, how do you do, sir9" and evidently much astonished, then blurted out: "Who are you anyhow2'
 "I am Lo," said the indian.
 "Low-Mr. Low2 Why, you are an Indian, aren't y ou2"
 ''Yes, madam, a man of 'untutored mind.'"
 "You astonish mo! What are you do- ing here2"
 "Here-seated here. Isee God in the cloud and hear Him in the wind"
 'Aud, looking as you do, you quote Pope2"
 "Aye, looking as I do," said the old Piute, and he turned and walked away, leaving the lady to stare after him and wonder.
 The old Piute was one who was sent East about thirty years ago to be cdu- cated, and who spent three or four years in Oberlin College, Ohio. When he came back to Nevada he at once settled down again into the shiftless ways of his people. His home is at or near Wadsworth, but he occasionally strays up this way for change of cold grub. The in cid ent related above was witnessed by two or three employees of the Con. Cal. and Virginia, who greatly enjoyed the surprise of the lady from the Bay. She will doubtless return to San Fran cisco with high notions of the mental requirements of our rugged "Children of the Deserts. ."-IVirglnia City Enter Drise
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Who is Never Crazy.

There are many firm believers Tn the theory that most people are crazy at times, and facts seem to support their belief. The following, from a source unknown to the writer, will likely re- mind a number of our readers of some incident in their experience, which at the time of it's occurrence seemed to them most unaccountable: IA wise man will step backward off porch or into mud-puddle, great philosopher will hunt for the specks that are in his hand or on his forehead, hunter will sometimes shoot himself or his dog. A working girl had been feeding great clothing knife for ten years. One day she watched the knife come down slowly upon her hand. Too late, she woke out of her stupor with one hand gone. For few seconds her mind had failed, and she sat by her machine, a temporary lunatic, and had watched the knife approach her own hand. A distinguished professor was teaching near canal Walk ing along one evening in summer he walked as deliberately into the canal as he had been walking along the path Q second before. He was brought to his senses by the water and mud and the absurdity of tho situation. He had on new suit of clothes and new silk hat, but, though the damage was thus great, he still laughs over the adventure. Our mail collectors find in the iron boxes along the street all sorts of papers and articles which have been put in by some hand from whose motions the mind has become detached for a second. A glove, a pair of spectacles, deed, a mortgage, theatre ticket, goes in, aud on goes the person, holding on to the regular letter which should have been deposited. This is called absent mind edness, but is brief lunacy. D. Public Opinion.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

French engineer M. Arneaudeau elaborated an engaging project for facilitating intercourse between Great Britain and France" M. Arneaudeau's plan is to suspend side by side in the sea two tubes-an "up" and "down" tube--passing from Dover to Calais. Each tube would contain miniature railway upon which diminutive cars would run for the conveyance of letters and parcels of inconsiderable weight. Underneath the rails the telegraphic and telephonic wires would be placed. The trains of cars would be propelled by means of rarefed air pumped into the tubes at their cxtremities. The cost of all this, says M. Arneaudeau, would only be s5, 900, 900, which cer- tainly docs not seem much. The only engineering difficulty in the way is said to be the driving of tho piles to which the tube would be suspen ded.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Fierce People of Central Asia.

Peshawer is very interesting city, wholly central Asiatic. A very large caravan had come in only day or two before from Afghanistan and Turkistan. In the bazaar were bold-looking Af- ghans, with noses so aquiline that ono is ready to believe them sprung from the lost tribe of Israel; clad in sheep skin coats, and fierce in their demeanor. Caffirees, who looked at us as if they regretted we were not over in the m oun- taius that they might cut our throats and empty our pockets. Cashmirees. clean and fair-skinned, some of them with blue eyes. In a great yard we walked among four or five hundred camels squatted around in circles, their hads close together and eating from common centers. Today we passed over three hundred of them in long line vending their way toward the from tier, loaded with bales of English goods, great goods boxes and six-inch iron water-pipo fresh from England. won dered what use they were to be put to in central Asia. With this caravan was wild, hardy set of men, all more or less armed. Ia this locality men are permitted to bear arms. Nowhere elso in India is this allowed--- that is, to na- tives, but here self protection makes it necessary; indeed, we are no longer in India, except in name. We are in cen tral Asia, and only twelve miles from the border of the land of one of the finest people in the orld.---[Chicago Mail
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Useful Reptiles.

When wo have secured protection to the birds, it will be time to teach the people to have more mercy on the reptiles. The populas almost uncon- querable prejudices against this class of animals are regarded by science as mis- taken, except as to very few kinds; but the public still need enlightenment on the subject. Professor o. P. Hay has embodied popular lesson on the innocence and even value of most rep tiles in his paper on "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana" which, being comprised ia the State Agricultural Re- port, will reach all the inhabitants of at least our commonwealth "Many am- phibians and reptiles," he says, ''are of direct value to man. Many, as various kinds of turtles and frogs arc used as food, and such might even be profitably bred for that purpose. Many others gre useful because of their propensity for devouring insects, mice and rats, that arc the pest of the farmers. A few, in- deed, are dangerous; but it is worth any persons while to tuly our rep tiles, if for no other reason than to be
 freed from constant fear of them. Of nearly hundred species of amphibians and reptiles to be found within Indiana not more than three or four are poison ous, and these are of rare occurrence. Some others may strike, or bite lit tic, or constrict, as they have a right to do, but they are not venomous, and can do little hurt. Snakes that roll along like hoops, snakes that blow poison,
 snakes that sting with their tongues or the tips of their tails, and snakes that live for weeks in peoples stomachs arc creatures of the imagination. Therefore, considering their usefulness as destroy CTS of vermin, no amphibian or reptile
 ought to be killed, unless it is to be employed for practical uses or preserved as specimen for scientific purposes. If the boys of the country are to be al- lowed to shoot all the birds and stonc to death all the reptiles, we may yet be compelled to surrender to the vermin."
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
The Old Clock.

"Oh! the old, old clock, of the household
 stock,
 Was the brightest thing and neatest; Its hands, though old, had touch of gold, And its chime rang still the sweetest; Twas monitor, too, though it's words vera
 few,
 Yet they live, though nations altered And its voice, still strong, warned old and
 young
 When the voice of friendship faltered: Tick! tickr it said-'quick, quick to bed, For ten I've given a warning; Up! upl and go, or else you know
 You'll never rise soon in the morning! IA friendly voice was that old, old clock, As it stood in the corner smiling, And blessed the time with a merry chime, The wintry hours beguiling; But cross old voice was that tiresome clock, As it called at daybreak boldly, When the dawn looked gray OCT the misty way,
 And the early air blew coldly; Tick! tickr it said-'quick out of bed,
 For five I've given warning; You'll never have health, you'll never have
 wealth,
 Unless you're up soon i'll the morningl" ''Still hourly the sound goes round and round
 With a tone that ceases never; While tears are shed for bright days fled, And the old friends lost foreverl Its heart beats on-though hearts arc gone, Its hands still move-though hands we love Are clasped on earth no longer! Tick! tickr it said-'to the churchyard bed,
 The grave hath given warning; Upl up! and rise, ar d look at the skies, And prepare for heavenly morning"
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
\ C MCKLEY, Editor and Proprietor,
Local News a Speciality,
TERMS,
The Lost Child,

rve lost a child-O, tell ne, did you meet Ny little darling in the sunny street, With wind blown hair, bright eyes and flying
 feet
 Like swift winged bird "How large was sher Why, just tiny
 thing. ITS such short time since used to sing Low, sleepy songs, and feel her soft arms
 cling
 About my neck. "How old is shel" Why, really l forget; Just old enough to love and kiss ani pet, Only Q merry little maid, and yet
 Not quite child It seems bct yesterday saw her go, Leading her playmates in laughing row; If you had met her you would surely know
 Her smiling face. You thought Ter older, more than twelve,
 you sayl That cannot be until another May Opens ths buds and brings the happy day
 That gave her life ''Is that the ch ldl Almost woman grown She holds her girlish head high as your own; Some one will find her though she goes alone;
 You need not fear" know she's tall and cares no more for toys That's Harry with her making all this noise; Why don't he go and play with other boys,
 I'd like to knowl 'Ts five years since her twelfth birthday
 was green With tender leaves, and ell the months be- tween Have slipped away till shs is seventeen
 The child is lost,
 -LLouis Hall in Wide Awake.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
He Was Full of Life.

"Your money or your life" demand ed a footpad of q pedestrian who at a late hour one night was threading his way along dark and narrow street.
 Eve more life than money" replied the pedestrian, and proceeded to dem- onstrate his possession of the former in such manner that, an hour later, when the would-be robber gathered himself up from the dust, he felt of his body all over to assure himself that he was some- thing more than suit of cast off cloth ing. T [Harper's Bazaar.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Gilbert Burrows, treasurer of tho

Gilbert Burrows, treasurer of tho Grand opera house in Dayton, Ohio, wa: the victim recently of an electrical shock over telephone wire that nearly proved fatal. He was about to answer a ring from the instrum, ,nt and took hold of the phone, when, with sharp cry of pain, hc staggered backward, and, despite his struggles, ho could not let go of the 'phone and was held with in its electrical embrace until his erie, brought assistance and the 'phone at- tachment was broken from its fastening. Burrows fell to the floor in an insensible condition as the result of reaction from the nervous shock. He remembers that when he approached the instrument 8 bluish glow of flame appeared about the metal on the telephone. Investigation by the superintendent of telephones showed that the telephone wire was crossed with the large incandescent light wires which arc constantly charged.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

Attention has just been called in a scientific paper to two races of men that must soon become extinct. It is confidently predicted that at the pres ent rate of decrease the Maoris of Now Zealand, now reduced to less than 45,- 900 men, from 100, 900 in Capt. Cooks days, must have disappeared by the year 200o. The Laplanders arc esti- mated not to exceed 3o,000 in num- bers. and are gradually becom ing few
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

The forest land in the United States, excluding Alaska, embraces 500, 900, . poo acres, or 2s per cent of tho entire area. The farmers own about 3S per cent of the forest area, or some 105, 900, 900 acres. The rest is owned by railroad corporations, mine-owners, charcoal burners, taunerics, lumber men and spectators.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

In 1881 there were 37, 300 Germans in England and Wales, and there are prob ably not 2OO.0 Germans Tn Europe outside Germany, that is, not 900, 900 outside the present limits of Germany who were born within those limits. But turn to the transoceanic rush. In the years 1871 to 1875 there went beyond seas 1, 413, 900 Germans, ard of them i, 349, 900 to the United States. Out of every 1000 omigrants 955 go to the United States. >.>s.s@
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

Rowan county, Ky, which during the past few years has attained an un- enviable notoriety by tho number of feuds that it has furnished, as cure for it's facilitating state of lawlessness has been returned to the two counties from which it was originally constructed. The legislature by this means hoped to divide the labors of sheriffs and grand juries SO that they may be more effec- tive. The only fear, remarks the Inter- Ocean, is that the feul may become the fashion in adjoining counties now that Rowan has been rent in twain and it's name obliterated from the map.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

A former citizen of Binkneyvillc, Ill. !, has probably the largest grave in the world. He was down in his coal mine one day, and when in a remote gallery tho roof caved in, and the waters of a subterranean stream flooded tho mine, which was about ton acres in extent It was impossible to recover the body, and the sons of the drowned mine own CT closed up the shaft and placed Q headstone over their fathers ten-acre orava
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18
Land ill India.

The results of tho survey and last census of India are that the area of the Peninsula of Hindostan is 1, 3S2, 624 square miles. and the population 253,- s91, 821. Although immense tracts of country are annually cultivated, accord ing to the most recent survey 10, 900, 900 acres of land, suitable for cultivation,
 have not as yet been plowed. At the same time, 12o, 00O, 900 of acres are re- turned as waste land. d.-lPublic Opinion.
Connecticut western news., 1888-04-18

Commissioner of Agriculture Colman nas estimated that the introduction of ono bull afflicted with pleuro- pneumo-. uia iuto Missouri cost the peoplc of that State $1. 900, 900. And the introduc- tion of one into Kentucky cost that State $2, 900, GOO. The outbreak at Chi cago cost Illinois moro than $7, 1000, 900.