davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
The Club as A WeaDOn.

From the earliest times the club was favorite military weapon, it's primitive form being simply of a straight stick, much heavier at ono end than at the other, and adapted for use either by oae or both hands. With improvements in other styles of weapons, however, camo the mace. Tho mace is shafted weapon, consisting of wooden handlo fitted into an iron head, the latter being of many different stylos. Somo maces have phalanges on tho sides; others are round like an orange, and furnished with sharp projecting points; while oth- CTS again are in the shape of two i'm perial crowns placed baso to base.
 The mace was horseman's weapon, usually fastened to his saddle during the march, and in an action suspended by cord round his wrist. It was Q favorito weapon for fighting ccclcsias- tics, of whom there wcro many during the middle ages. Priests, by canon of the church, being forbidden to use the sword, the mace, the lance, the hal berd and several other weapons of this description, were allowed to take the place of that weapon, which in all ages, has beon typical of war. A modifica- tion of the mace was plain hammer or maui, frequently carried by long bow men. It was simple mallet of wood or of iron, with a handle four or five feet long, used as an offensive weapon at close quarters. .-[ Globe Democrat.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
How Ink Is Made.

. Ink is variously composed, according to the purposes to which it is 10 be ap- piled. Common writing ink is tho per tannate of iron, mixed with little gal late, held in suspension in water by means of gum or some other adhcriug substance. Tho gum also preserves tn, ink from being too fluid and also serves to protect the vegetable matter from de- composition.
 Blue ink has of late years been much h demand. Tho coloring matter is said to be sulphatc of indigo and tinct. ure of iron, or, according to another recipe, Prussian blue dissolved in water by means of oxalic acid. Red iak is usually. ID ado by boiling in tho propor- tion of two ounces of Brazil wood in Q pint of water for about quarter of an hour, and adding little gum and water. This ink is not in demand now, carmine having superseded it; this color is attain cd by a solution of car mino aud ammonia, also ad ling gum. The great merit of our common writing ink is in tho freedom with which it flows from the pen, allowing of rapid writing, and tho manner in which it bites into tho paper, so as not to bo re- moved by sponging. The great defect is in the want of durability. Such inks partake of the nature of dyes. Tho writing ink of tho ancionts, on the con- trary, is characterized by great per- mancncy; its basis was finely divided charcoal, mixed with somo mucilagin- ous or adhesive fluid. Indian ink is of this character; it is formed of lampblack and animal glue, with tho additions of perfumes not necessary, however, to its uso as an ink, and is made up into cakes. It is used in China with q brush, both for writing and printing upon Chinese paper, and it is used h this country for making drawings in black and white, the different depths of shado being produced by varying the dilution with water.
 ''Writing ink" said prominent manufacturer, to New York Mail and Express reporter, lis now made in large quantities in N.w York, and whereas in the past we sd to import largely, wo now export to almost every country"
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
"RatiOns of Iron. :"

Eiserne Portioncn Gations of iron) is the name given by the Mllitar Wochen. blatt to the canned provisions which the German soldier is now compelled to carry in his knapsack or haversack, not for imme diato consumption, but for use at those times when his command i, removed from tho base of supplies or the quartcrmaster department is short. It says: "These victuals of iron are, during war, to bc used on the evening preceding great battle, or bcttor wh"n tho army making D sudden change of front, the conveys arc for day or two retarded" Much of this canned pro- vision is put up in America, and i' said to be both better and cheaper than the German. The Seventh Corps West phalian) commanders have recently ex- perimented with canned chocolate and cocoa, which, though seemingly light reflection for marching column, has, on tho contrary, been found excellcntly adapted. .---[Scienti1ic American.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

She unlocked tho door. Tho key turned with some difficulty. Flinging open tho d DOT, stiff, de~d human figure fell upon her, crushing her to the floor.
 Those who heard the noise came rush ing un Lucy was in convu!sions. The frightfu', distorted corpse had rolled aside and lay upon its facc. The room was full of the scent of chloroform.
 L-cy was finally restored, but her nervous condition was deplorablc. For weeks they watched over her fevcrish, delirious s.umbers, fearing insanity, and not without reason. .+ ...,.
 Tho dead mau was given over to the care of tho town authorities, and bur- jed by them. It was ncv.r known who he was. ca learning the story, many thought him iasauc. Others bcliev. d him to bo a lawlcss and unserupulous adveaturcr. I, his pockets hal been found pistol, broken vial of chloroform and sponge. It was thought that he intended to render Lucy insensiblc, and carry her away in the night. But he was dead, and in- capable of moro harm. Probably when Lucy locked the closet door, ho had been crowded in, and the vial broken. He had been smothered to death. :;
 It took years to overcome this dread full experience; but now Lucy Grayson tells of it, without excitement, to her children New York World.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
Frances Sinking Shore.

Just lately, on the cost of Brittany, one of those geological discoveries has been made which suggest to the mind periods of time making the longest hu- man life app:ar but sp,n, aadcxhibit- ing processes quito dwarfng the most ambitious human achievements. This is the disclosure, :ly the displacement ofa mass of sanl, during tn, last high tides, of forest th,t must havo boon buried for some twenty centuries at least. The situation is just opposite Saint Malo at the foot of tho cliffs of Saint E,og:t and Saint Lunairo. The forest is supposcl to have once extend cd from Saint, Malo to beyond Mont Saint Michel This discovery is con- silered of great scientific interest, as it affords remarkable illustration of tho gradual sinking of tho French shore. Tho progress of this sinking during tho last 9, 900 years is clearly found in an old map found at the Abbey of the Mont Saint Mich,l. Within no nor, than sewn centuries back as many as seven parishes arc sai to havo disap- peared by the subsistence of this region. And in tho Bay of Douarncnez thcrc is known to have existed in the fl tn cca. tury quite fourishiag iowa called Is, tho sccno of famous tragical legend. Even now, at low water may be seen tho old walls of Is, which arc called by tho iuhab- itants Mogbcr Grcghi (wall of the Greeks). Tho people of the country pretend that they can somctim,s hear the old church bolls of tho submerged city ringing with the motion of the cur rent.
 French gcologists estimate that the gradual sinking of tho soil of Brittany, Normandy, Artois, Belgium and Hol- land is not less than seven feet con tury. At this rate it is calculated that in about ten centuries all tho Channel ports will bc destroyed, and Paris itself will have become maritime city. h another ten centuries it is predicted that tho French capital itself will have be- come entirely submerged, excepting, perhaps, that tho tops of the Pantheon, of the Arc do Triomphe and other such monuments may be disccrniblo at low water by tho people who will thon be living. -( London Globe.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
Kaisin Growing.

Having been in the culture of raisio grapes fer eleven years, l will say that l havc not realized nor havo seen others realize tho enormous profits that we SO ofton road about. Tho business is good enough as it is. and why not
 tell tho truth about it! A good muscat vineyard after tho fifth year, with good cultivation, will yield from 100 to I50 boxes of raisins to tn, acre. A vineyard is generally said 10 be in full bearing after the fifth yoar but ono cannot tell et what tlmc tho vinos arrive at their greatest perfection. My vines arc eleven years old and tho last crop was tho largest have ever gathered, reaching 15O boxes per acre. One hundred boxos per acre is what vineyard in good bearing should average, taking several years together. If this point is not reached it i, moro likely to bo tho fault of the ownor than tho vines. No OK. pcnsivo machinery is required for tho making of rai'ius or to prep're them for tho market, though tho exponso of labor is considerable. Assuming that the fruit raiser does no work, and all tho labor h2s to be pail for, tho bills of expenses and receipts will b, about liko this. if proper judgment be used: Tho total expense of cultivating an acre of grapes, making 100 boxes of raisins S55. Tho average prico of raisins for tho last four years has boon about $1.G0 per box. Putting tho prico at S1. 50 for tho four grades, we have Q total net profit of So5 per aero. Many viacyarls do better. But give theso figures to show what may Do expected with re- markedly gooi care. Vineyards hsvc frequently boon known to produce good variety of grapes enough tho first year after planting to pay expenses of cultivation. The second year brings from $50 to $50 per acre gross; third year, e6o to s76. --tM Marysyiiie (cal 0oWoetnH VI SAsssF SsSs 3ssSS .sss $
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
Juggling Extraordinary.

Without paraphcraalia of any dcscrip- ton, devoid of dress, except cloth around his body, native per orm ed tricks of legcrdemain, writes traveller from India, the recital of which would bring O sh:us of un bel icf from the read CT and will therefore not be attempted, and yet one example must be related just to give the ina agination Q chance. A common wash bowl was placed in tho centro of tho room. Four hen eggs procured in the hotel wero deposited in tho bowl. The ittle assistant of the juggler, in the presence of spectators who could plainly see the eggs on tho bottom, slowly filled the vessel with clean water. Tho Hindoo placed his bare hand on tho rim of tho bowl and the eggs disappeared from view, re- turning when his hand was removed. This was repeated several times but he kept the explanation of the trick to himself.
 A female contortioni,t, 20 years of age, splcndidiy formed, but of rather small stature, was our next visitor. She went through a series of exercises, ty- ing herself into so many peculiar knots that VIC doubted if nature had supplied her with back bone, but wero convinced when she commenced her eyclid performance. A dagger about a foot long, and as sharp as q razor, was fastened to tho floor, point upward. The performer laid Q small cambric needle horizontally across tho fino point of tho weapon, and standing before it bent backward until sho moved tho needle from it's position with her eye. lids without touching tho floor with anything but her feet, ua afolding a wrinkle of female eyo capacity we had never dreamed of.
 Before we understood tho design a proof of her dcxterity was given which chilled the circulating medium in our veins. A littlo babe of about 10 months Gudging by American standard) was laid upon Q cushion, and a small orange placed upon tho body in the vicinity of its commissary department. The woman then took sharp sword, shaped something liko a cimctcr, and with swift downward blow cut the orange without h,rming the child. No orc cnvisd the little ones rodtion, or volunteered to take its plac, in Q simi- lar experiment.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
At Moonrise

At Moonrise. How hushed and quiet the gaunt poplars spring
 Beside the lake, Where the song-weary thrush, head under wing,
 Is nestling half awakel The warm gray lights of evening finger there Urgently pass Along tho dappled water and the air No voice nor music has. Low on the nights marge yonder, . big moon, -t..
 Cleaving the blue, Comes up and silvcrs the broad shades which soon
 The bats fit darkly through; And visions, born of fancy and the night,
 Glide to and fro Move with dream feet amid the solemn light,
 And softly come and go. Across the moor-else silent over earth
 And sky's wide range Steals the low laughter of two lovers mirth;
 How sweet it sounds yet strangel
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

If the photograph has been improved as much as Mir. Edison claims it has, as- serts the Brooklyn Citizen, it may do away to great extent with the steno- graphers in business offices and increase the demand for typewriters. When a man can talk into a machine at any moment when he has leisure, and some one else can afterward reproduce the exect words in the samo tone of voice, there is no telling, however, how many men, who neither employ stsnograph,r nor typewriter now will be induced to transact their correspondence by means of the new device. The history of all analogous inventions shows that instead of anybody being thrown out of employment by them, occupation is furnished for any number of others. This is most likely to be the case with the photograph.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

Ono of tho best investments ever made in Washington real estate was that m1de by Commodore Rodgers several years ago. It was the lot upon which he built his house and he secured it from Henry Clay who was a great fancier of horses. The commodore once brought home some fancy live stock from the Mediterranean, including an Andalu' sioa jack. Clay was anxious to buy it for his breeding farm in Kentucky, but the commodore said: 'Ill give it to you for your lot near the White House. " "Done," said Gay, and the exchange was made. Tho property is now valued at $6e, 900. It was iu front of it that General Sickles shot Burton Key, and here PAyne triei to assassinate Secre. tary Seward on the night that Lincoln was shot
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
CANAAN, CONN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1sss

The stenographors havo in tho past few days secured machine to facilitate work which has already proven of ines timable value. It is one of Edison's iu- vcntionz, and is called the grapha- phone. Tho machiac very much re- sembles lady's sewing machine and is worked in the samo manner-by a pedal. The instrument is used in this wise: When ono of the principal sten- ographcrs concludes his floor report, he goes to this m ,chine, reads his report into funnel conncc.in, with the main cylinder, which is gutta-pcrcha> coated, and revolves whilo the point of a needle connecting with the tubo from the fun- nel mouthpicce rests against it. The cylinder envclops screw which pro- vents the needle tracing firmer line. When the sten og rapher finishes reading his report another operator attaches tubes to tho cylinder, connecting with his ears, works tho machiao, and the words of tho stcnographcr are repeated to him in the same tone of voice of tho previous talkcr. The rapidity of the talk can bo regulate l, and tho op- orator can thu, with easo take down the exact words by the use of type writer or an ordinary pen. The machine is certainly wonderful and enables n person with the assistanco of type writer to do the work of two ordinary stcnographors, who first have to take the report in shortha,d and then trans late it.
 The gutta-porcha cylinders, incg- lected to mention above, can be stored away, and years after, if placed upon the machine, tho same words usod to- day will be repeated in the exact tono of the speaker of to- day. Thus should any record become destroyed these cylinders may bo resortcd to.
 Another thing about this machine is that person here can talk for an hour into ono, m il the cylinder to Atlanta, where by tho uso of a machine tho exact words used hero will bs repeated, thus saving he labor of writing long communications.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

The American Cultivator cites staiis- tics to show that this country, by natural increase of population and by immigration, is rapidly becoming com paratively thickly settled. Excluding the vast territory of Alaska, we have fourteen persons to the square mile.
 This IS not dense population compared with many other countri,s. Belgium heads the list with 511. China, with much greater area, comes next with 45O. Tho Netherlands have 333, and Great Britain, including Ireland, has 3O1.
 Germany has a14, France 1s4. Italy 257,
 Austria Hungary 162 and European Rus sia 43. Evol Africa has a denser popu- lation than these United States, or six teen to the square mile. It i, quite evil dent from this that it makes vastly moro difference what kind of people this country fills up with than their numbers. We still havo plenty of room for tho right class of people, by which is not by any means meant the most fashionable class. Nowhere else in the world are there better opportunities for industrious men and women to earn not only living, but competence and even wealth. The moro uch VIC got the bet ter | wal bs for every honsst workez. 1"
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
HUMOROUS
A job lot-Boils.

A job lot-Boils.
 The farmers share-Tho plowshare. A writ of attachment--A love letter. A sttingcd instrrmeut-Tho clothes line.
 Failure in the yarn trade-Writing unsuccessful novels
 The fellow that is hard up is apt to become a man of note.
 Many a widows weeds arc wiltcd by the simple phrase, "Wilt thoul'
 Why doos the ocean get augrye Be- cause it has been crossed SO often.
 The cockroach is always wrong when he attempts to argue with chicken.
 Ifn young man feels that his lif&taa blank he should try to fill it out and have it sworn to. ~a It doesn't matter how tough ayoung\ man may be, good looking girl is very likely to break him up. / Mrs. Burlington claims that therc ars few people nowadays who suffer from Suggestion of the brain"
 When an Arab of tho desert wants to inquire if his sister is going to leave home for while he says, "Arc you going oasis7'
 The s'festve" goat is browsing
 On the hoopskirt in the lrrA,, And the organ grinders F ipg
 In the street his plaintivc sGeain.
 When you arc at sea and ask man at the wheel how she heads, and he tells you, ''Sou'. -east.by sou" you get all the news there is in small com pass.
 The bank cashier has run awayl
 What, run away! where has ho gone toi
 Whore has he gone9 To Canada,
 Because there's thore place Toronto
 '.Mabel, have something to say that think will astonish you" ''What is 1t, Herry9" 'I am going away" 70, Harryl you arc always getting up some nice surprise for me.
 Visitor: Your new houso is very pretty; but you will have trouble to do anything with the garden, it's so small" Country Host: "Ycs, it is small, but, then, I shall put in folding-bcds."
 An hotel located in the West, is being advertised as follows: "Thcre Is no gilt-cdgo business about this house, and if you want to eat pic with knifo you can do it without foar of being ostra- cizcd from society,""
 The pitcher had little ball, and it was white as snow, and where tho striker thought it was that ball it wouldn't go. It had asudden in-shoot curve, it had fearful drop, and when the striker wildly struck, that ball it didn't stop. 'Why docs tho ball focl strikers so2' tho children all did cry. "The pitcher twirls the ball y ou know," the teacher did reply.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
VOL. XVII.
Dream.LOve,

Dream-L0Ve. There's a mate for every heart That throbs bene nth the sun, Though some by fato are kept apart Till life is nearly done; Where is the loyal heart and hand Shall make my life complete' God bless my Love, on sea or land, Un il our paths shall meetl My faith is sure
 And will endure,
 Till that glad hour shall be-;
 Sweet moment hrste
 Across the waste
 And bring my love to ms. Tho glow of morn is in her face, Its dewlights in her eye5, Amid her hair tho peerless gr,ce That tints the morning skies; And, oh, her feet, her little feet, They are so 1.-the and small, l dream catch their rhythmic boat Whene'er the rose leaves fall.
 Yes, oft in dreams WI h sunny gleam, ' Her winsome smile see,
 Sweet moment haste
 Across the waste
 And bring my Love to mel --[Samual Peck iI Times Democrat.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

The latest style of cane is owned by a Portland (Me.) physician, who uses it for three purposes-as a cane, as pro- tector and for professional purposes. It consists of bamboo rod, into which fits long steel receptacle shaped like half tube, in the concave s1do of which are springs holding in place small vials of ammonia, morphine and needles and surgeons' thread, and in fact all anti dotes and surgical appliances necessary in cases of emergency.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06


 The Congo river in Africa is tho m ost ewond erful system of watorway on tho face of the globe. It has twice the ex- tent of tho navigable waters of the Mississippi and it's tributaries threc tim,s it's populatioe- -A ct hirsting for trade," to use stuhAll-2s expression. Professor Dupont, tfssi eminent director of the Museum of Natural History at Brussels, Belgium, who has just re- turned from there, after six months of exploration of it's. lower waters, sail that it's fertile valleys were destined to be tho granary of the world. India rubber, gums, ivory, dye-stuffs, silver lead, iron, coffee and palm oil are there in immense qualities, awaiting exchange for the stuffs which we can furnish.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

Two thousand emigrants left Liver pool for Canada in one week this year, and tho next week six additional steam CTS with a capacity of 45oo had to bo put on, and they were all filled, and many passengers had to remain over for another woek for lack of room. Tho rate of emigration has been maintained at almost the same point ever since, it is said, and the record of the season will be unprecedented.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

ASt. Luis hotel clerk claims to havo made tho discovery that tall men sleep later ln tho morning than short men, and that persons of dark com plexion invariably require more rest than blondes. .-s
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

Mrs. John Sherwood, who is mistress of department, rcpudiates tho etiquette which demands that lady should bow to a gentleman before ho can pre- sume to bow. She says it is an English custom which has no rights that SO cicty in America is bound to respect.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

= Tho French Copper Syndicate con- trols tho product of all the American copper mines, which amounts to s2,- 900, 900 pourds a year, and yields a good profit at 12c; their price is 16c; this gives them an extra profit if they work the mines full, of s, 2s0, 900 year. The Frenchmen propose to make us pay.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
Tho PrOOcr Action.

Medical professor No studcnD-'In a case which you find difficult to diag- noso correctly, what is tho propor course to takc2'
 Studcnt--'Look wise and say noth- ing."- Epoch.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06
Miles of Burning Lava.

The most disastrous of all the crup- tions which havo takca placo in I:c- land during the human pcflod, oc- currc1 in June, 17sa, at skaptar. Tho lava in somo places was GOO feet deep and 200 feet wide, which flowed like a great rivcr toward the sea. One stream actually reached tho occau. It was ia full activity for ten weeks, and contin- ued gradually diminishing for six months more. Tho lava was over two years in cooling. O1o of the lava streams was fifty miles long, twelve to fifteen miles wide and GOO feet dccp. Most of the country for 100 miles from tho crater in every direction was cover cd by lava, pumicc, sand or ash,s. Tho ejected matter is estimated to havo bcon greater than the entire bulk of Mont Blanc. .-[Globc- Democrat.
Connecticut western news., 1888-06-06

It is estimated that at least 500 coun- terfeit pictures of the old masters, each of which has been purchased at big price, arc hanging Tn tho art galleries of tho United States.