davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Oldest Combs.

The oldest specimens of combs pre- served in the British Museum belong to the period of the second Egyptian dynasty; they are made of wood, with coarse teeth rather wide apart; where there is only single row there is Q rough attempt to carve the back into a semblance of sacred animal, such as the COW of Athor or the goddess of beauty. The formation of one epeci- men, in bone, six-pronged and rudely cut at the edges, suggests that it was worn as an ornament for the hair. From that time to the middle ages there is no evidence to show that deco rative combs were in use. The Greeks were specially fastidious in the arrange ment of their hair, and the Spartans, whose general habits were more severe, were no whit behind them ill the care lavished upon it, calling it, very shrewdly, the cheapest of ornaments, and before proceeding to battle the combing and dressing of their locks partook of all the solcmnity of reli- gious rite. Before the battle of Ther- mopylm Leonidas and his followers were discovered by the Persian spy in the performance of this act. That it was in some way associated with prep aration for the. worship of the gods among the Romans also is evidenced by the presence of combs in the cista, or cylindrical vase with covered lid, which contained the articles used dur ing the rites of Ceres and Bacchus.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Perfection in Tea Tasting.

The managing director of big tea dealing firm, who is tea taster and blender of twenty-five years' experi- fence, has lately stated that he sonce saw leading broker in Mincing lane have sixty teas, ranging within penny per pound in value, weighed up in duplicate, the 12O pots numbered and mixed up, he then picking out the sixty duplicates without single mistake. As regards educating the sense of smell, writes the tea dealer, s'I am strongly of opinion that it is possible, with constant practice, to- value teas as correctly by smelling the in- fused leaf as by tasting. have bought thousands of chests in public sale by smelling the infused leaf only, and have constantly valued public sale teas on the same plan. Nevertheless, for blending purposes, it is absolutely nec- essary to taste.
 ssI had fourteen years experience in tasting on the market, and left it eleven years ago to enter the blended tea trade. I then had to commence to learn what I never knew before-the art of blending tea-and I am convinced that, for this growing department of the trade, it is not only necessary that man should have good palate and keen sense of smell, but that he should, by constant attention, understand the art of selecting such teas as will blend with each other. A man may have ever so keen a palate and sense of smell and be able to value tea to a farthing per pound, and yet be no blender. Having produced blend successfully, the abilities of blender are severely tried by his having to maintain its quality and character, and nothing but constant practice, indomit. able perseverance and skill will enable him to succeed"
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Wanted...An Owner.

There were 8 dozen passengers on 6 Broadway car the other rainy day, who noticed very large, showily dressed man get aboard at the corner of Seven teen1h. He had gold-headed silk umbrella, and he leaned it against the front door and sat down. When the car got down to Wall street the large man suddenly rose up and hurried out of the car, never thinking of his umbrella. Then human nature began to show itself. A young man with very loud suit of clothes, changed his seat from rear to front to get nearer the prize. A very solid woman, with bandbox, pushed boy along to bring herself nearer. A man on the other side, who had been very busy with his paper, now folded it up and fixed his eye on the umbrella. A shop girl, who seemed to be out on an errand, cast covetous eyes, and thought of the swell she could cut over the other girls if she had that particular piece of personal property. An old man with very prominent nose finally observed in subdued tones:
 "I live next door to Johnson, and I'll return him his umbrella"
 "Johnson!" exclaimed the young man in the loud suit, "Why, that's our superintendent, and as I am going to the office, I'll carry it to him."
 "Seems to me he's my grocer, but I won't be sure of it," remarked the solid woman. sHowever, I'm an honest woman, and twill be safe with me-"
 "Look herel'' exclaimed the man with the paper. "You are nice crowd, I must remark. I was just laying low for you. The gent is my brother, and I'd like to see some of you try to walk off with his umbrella l"
 This settled all but the shop girl. She turned white and red, moved about uneasily, and finally decided it was now or never. She suddenly rose up, walked to the end of the car, picked up the umbrella, and tiptoed her way to the rear door and passed out. "Thank you, miss!"
 It was the large, showily dressed man, who was standing on the plat form with his hand extended.
 s'Don't mention it." snapped the girl in reply, as she turned over the property and dropped of.
 And then everybody chuckled and slapped himself on the back to think he had been wise enough to let the umbrella alone.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
From q Pulpit to a Gambling House.

From Pulpit to Gambling House.
 "Speaking of the mysterious disap- pearances," said Captain Nelson, the racing man, at the Girard House last night, "a case of that kind tore up Savannah society few years ago. One Of the most popular clergymen in the city kissed his wife and chil- dren after supper one evening and left his house to go to service at his church. He never appeared at the church, and was never seen in Savan- nah again. Detectives were emplo! | to search for him and large amount of money was expended on the inves- tigation but all to no avail, and with in six months the conclusion was reached that he had either committed suicide or had been murdered. A year or 80 later a young physician from Savannah who had been an at tendant upon this clergyman's ministra- tion, was in Paris and was making the rounds of the city with some friends They went into one of the swell gam bling houses, and had not been there many minutes before a man entered whom the Savannah doctor immedi- ateIy recognized as the fugitive preacher. The physician accosted him by name, whereupon the ex-clergy- man drew him into a corner and begged him to be silent and discreet. ssI am," he said, "one of the proprie- tors of this house, and I am making money here. The profession of the ministry grew utterly abhorrent to me. I could do nothing but abscond from the town in which you knew me. I rely upon you not to expose me-"
 s'The facts," continued Capt. Nell son, "were told me by a physician, who is now one of the most eminent and successful members of his profes- sion in Savannah"
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
His Foot or His Life.

Andrew Schwilick, baggage mas ter on the Reading Railroad, had a thrilling experience at Schuylkill Haven, Pa. .-
 He was crossing the railroad tracks at that point when his foot got caught ill frog. He made an effort to free it but only succeeded in securing it still more firmly. At the same instant he heard the roar of an approaching train, and looking up saw one thune CT ing down upon him with frightful speed. He waved his arms aloft to the engineer, who put on the air brakes, but obviously to no purpose, as the train was travelling too fast.
 Schwilick took ill the terrible situa- ton at a glance. He comprehended that there was no possibility of free ing his foot nor of stopping the train before it should reach him. He de- termined if possible to save his life if he lost his foot. He threw himself at full length to one side as far as the imprisoned foot would permit, his body and the other leg being beyond the reach of the wheels, but, to pre- vent being struck by projecting por- tions of the axles and thus have his whole body drawn under the wheels or crushed in other way s, he laid down flat.
 Down upon him swept the locomo- tive. The ponderous wheel caught his leg at the ankle and crashed his foot to jelly in jit1y. With almost superhuman nerve he dragged his body and the released limb beyond the reach of further mutilation, as soon as the locomotive passed, and was soon assisted by onlookers to neighboring store, where medical attendance was at once summoned. His fortitude commanded the admiration of the sympathizers present, and although he is almost 55 years of age the doctors have hopes of saving his life.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
He Saw an Explosion.

We were talking about steamboat racing and steamboat accidents in the olden days, when the man with the cataract in his left eye interrupted one of the speakers with:
 "Gentlemen, have been intimately connected with about dozen steam boat explosions in my life, though I never saw but one. Do you want the particulars?"
 We said we did, and he got his breath and continued:
 ,"It was four miles above Natchez, and twenty-five years ago. stood on the bank just at noon, and just as the Octoroon came booming down the River. She was a grand, big boat, loaded down with people, and when exactly opposite me, and not a quarter of mile away, she exploded both boilers and went to Hades across lots. There was boom, crash, an awful roar, and she was gone. She just faded right out in three seconds.''
 "But what of the people?" anxiously inquired one.
 "Well, something about hundred killed, and something like another hundred hurt or scalded. It was a grand sight. My father-in-law was one of the lost. No artist could do such scene justice on canvas. My wife was also one of the victims. It seemed as if the boat rose twenty feet into the air and then shattered into a million pieces. One of my aunts and two of my children went to their death. She was fairly in front of me, and l had my gaze on her, so l saw every detail. My grandfather was coming down on a visit, but he went to his doom. The first warning of the awful tragedy vas"
 "Any more relatives of yours aboard?' interrupted one of the group. "A few"
 "Then move we adjourn. I want some of them to live through it.' And we walked away and left the old liar looking sad and disconsolate.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
A Fortune With His Wife.

All the Athenians know Dan Talia- ferro, the colored barber, who did business in this city and afterward moved to Jacksonville, Fla, and married. Dan was polite and respectful man, and had the good will of our people, who will be glad to know that he will soon come in possession of handsome fortune estimated at $1OO, 1000 or more.
 His story is a strange one. On Dams removal to the land of flowers he met colored girl of Key West, and after a brief courtship the pair were married. It now seems that the proudest blood of Castile flows in the veins of this octoroon, for she is lineal descendant from Spanish General who commanded troops in St. Augustine when it was under the dominion of that country. This old general was great roue, and becoming attached to mulatto girl, a de- scendant of the Minorcans, raised a family of children by her. On his deathbed he repented of his liaison, and left these children his entire landed property in Florida, including 0,000 acres, much of it lying in the principal cities of that State.
 A portion of the ground on which the Ponce de Leon Hotel stands was purchased from the heirs, while they still own valuable possessions all over that city, as also in Key West, Tampa, Tallahassee and other places. This property has never been divided, being controlled by an old aunt to Dams wife, who lives in fine style at St. Augustine, and was recognized as tho head of the family. There ara now only seventeen heirs to this vast prop erty, and, as they are all of age, have demanded that division be made, ar- engagements for which are now in pro- gress. The best lawyers in the State are employed. There is no question of doubt about the title to this property, and not an acre is in dispute. When Florida was sold by Spain to the United States there was clause in the trade by which this Government was pledged to protect the titles of the Spaniards who had private landed interests. Under this clause does Dams wife come in.-Athens (Ga.) Banner.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Through the Mountain.

M. Wautweller, Swiss engineer, has applied for concession for an un- derground railway up the Jungfrau Mountain. He proposes to reach the summit of the mountain by means of a tubular tunnel. The Eiffel tower as a curiosity will have to take second place should the scheme be successfully carried out.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13

cant go out or here till am COOL"
 "No, certainly not," said the pro- prietor. sWell, the best thing you can do is to call up a messenger boy and send note to your friend. Does he live out of town?"
 ooh, no, he only lives up Wood ward avenue"
 ''Very well, then, would call a messenger boy, if were you."
 "Well, just do so for me, will you, please?"
 We heard the proprietor ring up the telephone and call for No. 5 and say:
 "Send messenger boy up to So- and-so's bath rooms right away" -.
 In little while the proprietor came in and said the messenger boy was waiting outside.
 "All right, send him in here. Say, can you give me sheet of paper and an envelope?"
 "Ce~tainly."
 A sheet of paper and an envelope were brought, and the boy waited while he scribbled short note, then on the outside of the envelope he wrote "Jacob Strauss," with number on Woodward avenue.
 "Now, my boy" he said in 8 whisper, "are you a pretty sharp young fellow?"
 The boy grinned.
 "Very well. You see that address to Woodward avenue? Now, you are not to go there. You just take this note to Charlie. You know the place, and here's dollar. Tell him to put i.in an eightounce bottle, and you put it in your pocket and don't show it to anybody till you get in here again. Understand? You might just show that address to the proprietor outside as you go through, and ask him whether it's up or down Woodward avenue, you know, to give a sort of semblance of probability to this thing, and if you keep mum the change of that dollar is yours. Mum's the word, you know. Do you tumble2"
 The boy tumbled all right enough, and went out on his errand. In a short time he returned and brought in note to the bather, at the same time slipping gently small bottle to the thirsty man.
 As we went out together and paid our bills at the office, the man said to the proprietor:
 sI like your establishment first rate, but think you are little too strict in your temperance rule."
 My dear fellow," said the proprie- tor, ''we have to do that. We can't let any liquor get in here, you know. Now, you must admit that you feel better yourself for not having it, and I should advise you not to indulge any more. You certainly look better than if you had the drink you wanted"
 "Well, perhaps you are right" said the man, as he buttoned up his over coat and strolled away.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
A Modern Babel.

The modern land of Babel is Aus tria-Hungary. Everybody there wants to speak a different language from everybody else. A new telephone line has just been opened between Buda- Pesth and Prague, and the employees could not agree what language to use to each other. Some wanted to speak German, some Polish, yet others Mag var or Czech. At last the difficulty has been got over by an ordinance that French shall be used.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Liked Toe For Supper.

An Indian boy was wading in the Feather River, in California. near the Golden Gate Mine, when a large fish carried off the great toe on his left foot. The little boy wants to die, just because his companions will call him "Nine toed Jimmy"
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13

earth should General and Mrs. Grant

earth should General and Mrs. Grant come just at that moment. How l got up and what did with the oysters l do not know and never shall, but ] do know that our guests enjoyed the situ- ation heartily, and were good enough to say they envied us, and when we apologized for the tin teapot and pew ter spoons which adorned the table for our evening meal, the General said that we were just as well off as he was, which we found later to be the fact
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Because.

Why is George Washington like a poor speller? Because he gets stuck on the letters so often.
 Why is it useless to talk to cashier over his accounts? Because he's deaf as an adder.
 Can you make straw hat felti Certainly; touch it and see.
 Why is the hustle like an ineligible young man who has had his ssfinal re- fusal?" Because it has been severely sat on and must go.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Fooled the Farmer.

A swindler sold a Clinton County, Mich., farmer receipt for making his wheat weigh twice as much as it ought to, and signed contract to divide the money gained by the extra weight with the scientific swindler. The s.contract" eventually turned up as a promissory note and the farmer paid $500 for it-and didn't advertise the matter with brass band either.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Moltke and the Ph0nOgraph,

Count Won Moltke is the latest patron of the photograph. The instru- ment was shown him short time ago and the venerable general repeated to it the strange and appropriate sentence from Goethe's "Faust:" "Ye instru- ments mock me with wheel and combs, with cylinder and handle."
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
Johnny Surrounds the Idea.

Here is a good description of sea- sickness by six-year-old boy:
 Little Johnny had been visiting lately at place where they have big swing which is highly popular with the rising generation. When he returned home his father asked him:
 "Well, Johnny, did you swing in the big swingw
 "Yes, a little, papa; but it made my head ache in my stomach so that I had to stop."
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
LEGAL DON'TS ABOUT WILLS.

Don't leave anything uncertain in @ will.
 Don't mention people by their nick names.
 Don't try to devise real property to an alien.
 Don't let person interested in it be witness.
 Don't make will without two wit nesses; better three.
 Don't neglect to declare it to be your last will and testament.
 Don't make new will unless you revoke or destroy the old one.
 Don't make will that does not pro- vide for children that may be born.
 Don't try to force wife to accept certain property instead of a dover.
 Don't fail to specify which one is meant when two bear the same name.
 Don't neglect to make your witness es write their full names and addresses.
 Don't add codicil unless you exc cute it in the same way as the original will.
 Don't forget that if woman your marriage will invalidate will already made.
 Don't make new will without specifically revoking the prior one and physically destroying it.
 Don't allow minor to will away personal property, unless eighteen if male, and sixteen if female.
 Don't imagine that the contents of a lost will may not be proved by good evidence. Lockwood.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
He Lives We'll.

A huge panther has scared the day lights out of people near Walla Walla. He began on the chickens and has fin ished on veal and pork. The people expect the next victims will be plump three-year-old children.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13
SWING SONG.

Swing, baby, swing to dreamland; There, sweet, in slumber go; My song will blend in seemland
 With songs the angels know; Thy hammock will be golden
 And Nike the crescent moon, And in Its hollow holden
 Thou shalt be sailing soon. Go swinging, swaying. swinging, High up among the stars; At mothers wish upspringing
 Shall sleep let down the bars; Although the hammock golden
 Is like the crescent moon, Thou wilt, in my arms holden,
 Wake bright and laughing soon.
Connecticut western news., 1889-11-13

Jacob Astor still has country place up the Hudson, near the old family estate of Rokeby, which he purchased from Mir. Cottinet, but he does not go there very often.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-07-24
A New Piano DeaI.

The well known firms of Powell, Has
kell & Co. and Day & Hart, have joined
forces and incorporated under the name
of the Southern California Music Com
pany, with capital of $4,000, all sub
scribed.
Having ample capital, and represent
ing many of the leading factories ia the
United States, including the popular
Decker Brothers, A. B. Chase, j. & G.
Fischer, and others, and the Chase,
Kimball and other organs, bought at
prices which are only given to the
largest dealers, this company is able to
offer inducements to purchasers that
have never been given before in South.
ern California.
The company will pay especial atten-
ton to renting pianos and organs-not
the old rattle-boxes that have usually
been worked off on the innocent renter,
but brand new instruments, tf reliable
makes, at reasonable prices.
Those who desire the advantage of
selecting from the largest stock and
greatest variety in any one wareroom on
the Pacific Coast, will be shown q display
of fifty of the finest instruments made, at
the warerooms of the company, No. II
North Spring street, so long known as
Days Music Store.
Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-07-24
new Patents.

Messrs. Hazard & Townsend furnish
the following list of patents issued to
residents of California Tuesday, July
10th:
Rest for buggy tops, Homer H. Allen,
Oceanside.
Pipe bender, Edward Burjoin, Los
Angeles.
Gable railway brake. Oliver Cope, as
signor of one-third to J. Otis, San Fran
cisco.
Making rollers for juteslivering ma
chimes, Howard p. Garland, San Fran
cisco.
Squirrel poisoning machine, Willie J :.
Howard, Mariposs, assignor of one-half
to j. w. Farmer, San Francisco.
Fence, James 7. Mayhem, Vista.
Filter, Chaples III. Parmenter and l. V.
Blackman, Oakland.
Mailbag rack and distributing table,
Stephen Strange, Los Angeles.
Hydraulic dredging machine, Julino
H. Won Schmidt, San Francisco.
Sewer-gas trap and sink, William
Wallace, sssignor to himself and r. G.
Brann, San Francisco.
Ruler, VIM. ]. P. Wright, San Fran
cisco.