davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
VOL. XVII.
The Kettle on the Crane.

The Kettle on the Crane. How many pleasant pictures does the recol- lection bring Of homo and bygone pleasures that around the freside cling!
 on the brain, When in dreams l hear the singing of the kettle on the crane
 Hear it singing, singing, singing.
 Loud and merry, fast and slow;
 Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur,
 Soft and low. There's the broad, wide open chimney, with it's roaring, cracking fire, Built up with logs of gen'rous size to make the flames leap higher; And near, the waiting table stands, spread bountiful and plain, .. -= While cheerily the kettle sings and sings upon the crane, ..... ....-.-
 Hear it singing, singing, singing,
 Loud and merry, fast and slow;
 Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur,
 Soft and low. Grandmother in the corner sits and softly to and fro She rocks, and dreams of friends and scenes in days of long ago; Her face grows sweet and tender as the past comes back again, While listening to the singing of the kettle on the crane.
 Hear it singing, singing, singing,
 Loud and merry, fast and slow;
 Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur,
  I sec the children caper, us with gleeful laugh and call They watch the dancing pictures of the shadows on the wall,
 low refrain That follows the soft music of tho kettle on the crane
 Hear it singing, singing, singing,
 Loud and merry, fast and slow;
 Hear it murmur, murmur, murmu"
 Soft and low. And, erc the evening hour is done, with lingering step and slow, A youth and smiling maiden come, nnd in the embers' glow They read the future story, and they see Q wedding train, And bells chime with the singing of tho kettle on the crane, Hear it singing, singing, singing, Loud and merry, fast and slow; Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur Soft and low. These precious old time memories, they hold me like spell The clock upon the mantel, where learned the time to tell; The simple, homely furniture, the ko psakes few and plain, And the murmuring of the kettle as 1t hung upon the crane. Hear it singing, singing, singing,
 Loud and merry, fast and slow;
 Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur,
 Soft and low. Oh! there's bliss supreme in home, whom it's joys are pure and sweet, And lifeis most sacred memories around the hearthstone meet, And the tenderest thoughts and saddest ones come borne upon the strain | Of the singing of the kettle as it hung upon the crane
 Hear it singing, singing, singing, Loud and merry, fast and slow; | Hear it murmur, murmur, murmur, | Soft and low. | JLBarbara Deane
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

A few days ago in the travelling bag of a tourist just arrived at the port of New York, was very innocent-looking g piece of toilet soap, which would never have been given second glance by the inspector if it had not been for the evil dent anxiety displayed by the owner of the bag to get it back. Almost ashamed of himself tho officer pulled out his pocket-knife and attempted to pierce that cake of soap. The travellers jaw fell and the officers knife blade met an obstruction at about the same time. There were just s3O0O worth of rubies and diamonds inside of that partly used eako
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
RICHARD OGDEN'S DUTY

Mir. Wagner was superintendent of the great Bessemer Steel Works in Pennsylvania. One morning, about ten years ago, young man came into his office whom he recognized as Richard Ogden, assistant book-keeper in Phila- delphia importing firm. Mir. Wagner shook hands with him heartily.
 He had known Ogden since he was a boy, and liked him thoroughly. He was keen-eycd, doggedly honest fel- low, and, unlike most young men, al- ways hard at work. He had married lately, too. Mir. Wagner had been at his little house and seen the wife and baby.
 '.Hillo, Ogdeni How came you herc9 In the busy season, tooa"
 'Gt is not busy for me, sir" said Og- den, gravely; q am discharged. The firm, like all other Philadelphia firms, found it necessary to lessen expenses, and discharged one-fourth of their men. Twas the youngest book-keeper, and had to go of course"
 ''That is bad-bad.' Ct was in the days when the hard times were hardest. ) What are you going to do, Richard2"
 T can find nothing to do in Phila- delphia There are twenty thousand men there looking for work. came to ask you for it."
 'Me9 My dear boy, our book keepers have been with us for years"
 Richard laughed. 'I did not come to oust them from their desks, MT. Wagner. I do not hope to get any work for my head. I must put my hands to it now. Is there no place in the mill for me7'
 "Among the handsa You do not mean that, Ogdena'
 ''Yes, do," coloring slightly. "A man is man, no matter how he earns his bread. cannot afford to be idle a week. With the wages which you pay your puddlers or firemen, can support Mary and the boy in this village, where living is so cheap, at least until times mend"
 "Very we'll, my lad," said MT. Wag- ner, after moments hesitation, ''you are right. I'll find place for you to- morrow. By the way, you used to have good deal of knowledge of chemistry, eh2'
 ''Yes, I thought of teaching it after left college"
 ''Very good; I'll put you near MT. Ferris. He can probably give you [, few hints which may be useful; sor of Judge Ferris, you know. Educated as mining engineer; but he has gone into the works, like any poor lad, tt work his.wsy to s practical knoNlcdgt
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
Atrocious Cruelty on the Sea.

Que of tho most atroclous cases o1 cruelty ever known in the annals of the sea has been disclosed by the finding of naval court of inquiry in connection with tho voyage of the British ship Macedon, from Philadelphia to Hiogo, Japan. The Macedon left Philadelphia in command of Jesse Willis Jones, mas ter, and after a protracted voyage of 21s days reached her destination with her crew reduced in number by death and disease and the survivors half dazed from the brutal treatment to which they had been subjected at the hands of the ships officers.
 Five unfortuuates succumbed to their tortures and were thrown overheard to : be deyourcd by school of sharks that followed in the wake of the ship. On the arrival of the Macodon at Hiogo, out of a total surviving complement of seventeen persons on board thirteen were suff ring from scurvy, only the master, mate, cook and steward having been exempted from the symptoms of that dreaded disease.
 Of the five men who died at sea, the evidence showed that Edward Grants death occurred on Sept. 25, 1887, of scurvy, after having been the victim of wanton act of cruelty on the part of the mate. Eight days before his death Grant was triced up to the mainmast by Cox, and was kept at work until the morning of the day before he died. John Miller was lost overheard on Oct. 7, and the master allowed the man to sink without mixing any effort to res cue him. not even causing boat to be lowered. ca Nov. 19 while suffering I from scurvy James Armstrong was sent aloft on tho mizzenmast by the boat swain to scrape the mast, a task that was not of an urgent nature. While performing this unnecessary duty Arm strong fell to the deck and died of his in juries on the following day. Alvin Chapel and Angelo Blanchi died o1 scurvy, the former on Dec. IS, and the latter six days later. For Blanchi was reserved the most shocking acts o1 cruelty, he having been dragged along the decks on several o occasions by Cox and Beveridge while in dying condi. tion.
 During the voyage of the Macedon one of tho stewards feet were bitten of by shark when the ship was thrown on her beam ends by sudden squall.- l [New York Sun.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
Her Dough Was All Wedding Cake.

 In brown holland apron she stood tn tho kitchen; Her sleeves were rolled up, and her cheeu
 all aglow; a. Her hair was coiled neatly, when l, indis-
 creetly,
 Stood watching while Nancy was kneadinr
 the dough. Now, who could be heater, or brighter, or
 sweeter,
 Or who hum 6 song so delightfully."- low, Or who look so slender, so graceful, 50 otender, As Nancy, sweet Nancy, while kneading
 the dougha How deftly she pressed it, and squeezed it,
 caressed it,
 And twisted and turned 1t, now quick ana now slow; An! me, but that madness Two paid for in
 sadness,
 Twas my heart she was kneadins q well
 as the dough. -- -=. At last when she turned from her pan to the
 dresser,
 She saw me and blushed, and said shyly.
 'Please go, . e.. sFs Or my bread I'll be spelling. in spite Of my
 toiling, If you stand here and watch while I'm kneading the dough-" I begged for permission to stay-shed not listen:
 The sweet little tyrant said: "No, siri mol mol" Yet when had vanished on being thus ban ished,
 My heart stayed with Nancy while knead- ing thedough. I'm dreaming, sweet Nancy, and sec you In fancy, & 1 Your heart, love, has softened and pitied my woe; And we, dear, are rich in dainty, wec kitchen;
 Where Nancy, my Nancy, stands kneadins tho dough. l jBrooklyn Citizen.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
A Glass of Wine Changes HistOr


 A glass of wine changed the history of France for nearly 20 years. Louis Philippe, King of the French, had a son, the Duke of Orleans, and heir to the throne, who always drank only a certain number of glasses of wine, be- cause even one more made him tipsy. On memorable morning he forgot to count the number of his glasses and took one more than usual. When en- tering his carriage he stumbled, frightening the horses and causing them to run. In attempting to leap from the carriage his head struck the pavement and he soon died. That glass of wine overthrow tho Orleans rule, confscated their property of es0, 900, ooo and sent the whole family into exile.--- Cham ber's Journal.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

<The Bank of England's doors are now so evenly balanced that clerk, by pressing a knob under his desk, can close the outer doors instantly, and they cannot be opsned again, except by special process. This is done to pre- vent the daring and ingenious unem- ployed of the metropolis from robbing tho bank. The bullion departments of this and other banks are nightly sub merged several feet in water by the action of machinery. In some banks the bullion department is connected with the managers sleeping room, and an entrance cannot be effected without shooting bolt in the dormitory, which in turn sets in motion an alarm. If a visitor during the day should happen to knock off one from pile of half sovereigns the whole pile would dis appear pool of water taking its place.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
Nothing New to Him.

She-Mr. Qualkcharry, do you ever rise in the morning early enough to see the gorgeous sunrise? I can imagine nothing more beautiful than that. The golden glow falls upon the earth so softly and lovingly, tho heavens smile in unison, and all nature seems to wake and rejoice.
 "Yes, it's very nicc."
 ''Do you see the sunrise oftena"
 'tEvery morning. You sec, have to get my milk wagons started before 6 o'clock. k."-[Lincoln Journal.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

It is said by . writer in the New York Sun that snot less than one million peo- pie were drowned by the terrible floods in the Hoang-Ho river, which over whelmsd several thousands of Chinese villages in October last The fact that this appalling tragedy has not pro- foundly moved all Christendom shows how little we know of the lives, the sufferings and joys of people who are not closely connected with us by ties of interest and affinity. Still, this very calamity shows that widely re- moved parts of the world are drawing nearer together. This same river thirty six years ago involved China in ca- lamity of equally terrible proportions, and so great was then our ignorance of that country and its affairs that five years elapsed before attention was called to the disaster in this country and Europe. The river cut for itself new bed far north of its previous course, and seven years after the disaster European geographers were talking of the lost Hoang- Ho river, and wondering what had become of it. At the present rate of progress we may expect in time to see the daily news of China laid on oul breakfast tables along with the othe, news of tho world"
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
A Singular AfflictiOn.

John Burgess of Erie, Penn., is suf- fering from singular affliction. He is a railroad engineer, and short time ago, after stepping off his engine, he slipped on piece of ice and fell, strik- ing the ground quite violently with the back of his head. He was helped home, and now that hc has begun to recover from the first painful effects of his fall and can raise himself up, he is very much alarmed to find that when erect he is totally blind. In a lying posture he enjoys his sight as previous to his fall,
 but as soon as he assumes an upright position he can see nothing whatever.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
She was SuDerStitiOus.

She Gust in from an afternoons shop ping and running to her husband) - "I've had such lovely time. I've just come from Blanks and saw two such lovely jackets, one at $113 and another at $225."
 "Well, and which one did you finally buy9' -....
 "You know, dear, how superstitious am about the No. 13, so I simply had to buy the $225 one. "- Philadelphia Press.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

Then he dropped the lever, and stag gered forward. "I-I cannot seel" he cried.
 "Great heavenl What is to be done2' cried MT. Berringer. A quiet voice was heard from among the startled men, "I think I can take MT. Ferris's place, if you will trust me-" "Ogdena Yes; try ogden," said Ferris, as he sank down. Some of the men carried him out. Richard Ogden stepped up to his platform and put his hand on the lever which the mill owner held.
 'Tll try you, young man. It's all l can do. Remember if you fail by an instant, it is loss of several thousand dollars to us."
 q know, sir, I'll do my duty as we'll as I can," said Ogden calmly; but he breathed hurried prayer to God for help.
 The frightful roar of the blast fadrowned all sounds, the curious work men gathered around, watching Rich ards eyes fixed on the f1ickering flame. It seemed to him as If the beating of the blood in his veins kept time with the fire. Suddenly, distinct and sharp, he heard, outside of tho window near which he stood, his boys name. "Benny Ogden, he's dying of crodp. | where's his father2'
 "Great God!" He started wildly forward; then grasped the lever again with strained eyes and clutched teeth. His duty. He had promised he would do his duty. The next instant, the flame as fin pity for man changed it: hue, and tho lever sank. Out from ths converter rolled the fiery flood. Rich ard sprang down from the platform, white and trembling. .-.
 'Is it Benny you're goin' to9" said Dan Mccarthy. 'Tm just afther seein' thesbye go past the mill wid hls mother, ah, its we'll. and hearty he is. It wu1 Jake Crawford as played that durtJ thrick on yees, zur," turning to MT. Bcrringer; aan' it wur him as dosed the coffee for Misther Ferris.''
 MT. Berringer was man of few words. "Send for policeman fol Crawford. Young man, the firm owes you something, and we will pay it a' best we can."
 They did pay it. This was four years ago. MT. Ferris has been promoted ir the works and Richard Ogden holds hi. place at a high salary., In one of thu prettiest cottages in the village you may find Mary and Ben, who is the big brother of two youngsters as fat and chubby as himself. -[Youth's Com
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
The Career of "BOss Tweed"


 William M. Tweed was born in New York City in 1893, and died in Ludlow Street Jail April 12, 1878. After re- ceiving common school education he learned the trade of chair making. In 1852 he was made an alderman of New York, and was soon after elected to congress, where he served from 1858 to 1855. In 1856 he became supervisor of New York and chairman of the board. He was a school commissioner in 1S56-57 and deputy street commis- sioncr from 1861 to 1870. From 1867 to 1871 he was state senator. In 1870 he was appointed commissioner of the department of public works in New York City. It was while he was in this office that corrupt ''ring," of which he was chief, was formed and vast sums of public money were appro- priated to private use. The building and furnishing of the new court house in New York were taken advantage of for these peculations, and the money represented to be spent on this work amounted to many millions of dol lars moro than was actually de- voted to this purpose. These corrupt practices were exposed, and in October, 1871, Tweed was arrested in civil suit on charges brought by Charles O'Conor in behalf of the city. Bail was fixed at $1, 900, 900, and was promptly furnished. Soon afterward, Tweed was again elect cd to the state senate, but did not takc his seat. In December, 1872, he was arrested in criminal action on charges of fraud, but was released on $5000 bail. In January, 1878, he was brought to trial, which resulted in disagree ment of tine jury. In tho following Mo- vember he was found guilty of fraud, and was sentenced to twelve years i'm. prisonment in the penitentiary on Black wells Island; also to pay fine of $12,' $50. In April, 1875, suit was com menced in behalf of the people for the recovery of $6,0OO, 900, and judgment was entered for this amount, with in terest. The view was sustained by the supreme court that the cumula- tive sentence of twelve years i'm prisonment on twelve counts of the in dictment was contrary to law, in June, 1875, who said the sentence was not lawful beyond ono year. Tweed'' release was therefore ordered. He was however, held in bail to the amount O $3, 900, 900, and in default of this he wa committed to Ludlow street jail. O, December 4th he escaped from th' custody of two keepers with whom h' had been permitted to ride in the Park and visit his residence. He remained concealed for several months, and thel succeeded in reaching Cuba, whence h went to Spain. Here he was arrested by the Spanish government, and de livered to officers of the United States. Late in the autumn of 1876 he was brought back to New York, and agail confined in Ludlow street jail, wher he died on the date above mentioned. = [New York Dispatch.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
An Ancient City,

The old Hindoo capital, Nadiya, stands at the junction of its upper head waters, about 65 miles above Calcutta. The ancient city is reached through 8 river chaos, emerging at length upon a well-marked channel below the junc- tion. It was from Nadiya that the last Hindu king of Bengal, oa the approach of the Mohammedau invader in 1908, fled from his palace in tho middle of dinner, as the story runs, with his san dals snatched up in his hand.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

It is estimated that one-half of the entire wealth of agricultural Kansas is mortgaged to the industrial states, and even the older western states, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and h. diana, are mortgaged to the extent of from 20 to 33 per cent. of their farms and nearly all theil railroads.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

At Worcester Sessions, England, Magistrate Willis Bund passed sentence on boy named Joseph Slater, who was convicted of stealing three eggs, value threepence, of fourteen days hard labor and five years confinement in reforma- tory. The boy bore good character, and the jury who tried the case were scandalized, but the magistrate refused to change the sentence.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
Possibly Ant,iOuo.

Bobby and his mamma are lunching with Mrs. Carrolton Pell.
 Bobby-Did you know mamma be- fore you were married, Mrs. Pelli
 Mrs. Pell-I think not, Bobby; whyi
 Bobby--Mamma told Mrs. Gran ston that you used to be sweet on grandpa and that you held your ago wonder fully welL--[I4ife
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

Virginia Taylor Lewis of Maryland has informed congress, through Repre- sentative Rsyner, that she is the owner of the sword worn by General Washing ton when he resigned his commission at Annapolis, December 23, 17s3, and that she will sell the same to the govern ment at price to be fixed by Congress.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
How They POD in Franco,

A young man to the object of his af. lection:
 'I love you and wish to marry you, mademoiselle."
 Have you spoken to my parents2'' ''Yes, and they have given me you consent. "-l Judge.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

Charles Hoog, who died in St. Paul the other day at the age of eighty years, was noted as the man who gave Mia neapolis its mefRfuous Greek Indian name. Lowell, Albion and All Saints were among the names favored by the early settlers of tho young town, but Mr. Hoog's suggestion prevailed.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

There are but threc silver dollars of >l le coinage of 1894 in existence. Two of these are accounted for; the third is somewhere in circulation about the country. The valu,' of this missing dollar of 1894, as quoted in the last numismatic circulars, is $500.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

{ It is said that there are at present be- tween thirteen and fourteen thousand qualified practitioners practicing home- < opathy in the Unitsd States of America, and it is calculated that if the propor- tiou of homeopathic to allopathic prac- titioners should increase in the same ratio during the next twenty years as it has in the last, homeopathists will then be in the majority,
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

In Ireland thcro are moro troops than a year ago, the force consisting of g, 300 men, $500 horses and 50 guns. Scotland, one large military district, has only $500 men, 45O hors les and four field guns.
Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07

It Is stated that a Boston merchant has just received an order from Rome for large amount of spruce gum. "Just think of it." exclaims the New York
 Graphic. 'Imperial Rome, that sat upon her seven hills and from her throne of beauty ruled the world, now fallen 70 low as to indulge in chewing gum"