davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
CROWS AS WEATHER PROPHETS.
The Birds Retire to sheltered Place When
Storm u Coming.

n Storm Ii Coming.
Jere Hill an old character who lives in small
house on the northern part Of the island, has
found new use for: the crows says an Omaha
letter to the New York Tribune. A long and
persistent study of their habits and instincts
has convinced him that the crow is the
most competent and reliable weather prophet
in existence. Hill told the writer short
time ago that he could tell what the weather
was going to be "a or 4S hours ahead as easily
as though he had the full Signal Service re-
ports In fact, he says he has surer informa-,
tion than the SIGNAL Service men, for they
frequently err, while his crows never fail to
tell the truth.
why" said he, "every time we have cold
east storm you will see these crows rise up in
body and take themselves over the hill yonder
into the sheltered -PaptO Valley, and they will
remain there until the backbone of the storm
is broken and then come back, telling me that
clearing weather is at hand. If there is cold
seet or snow storm coming from the West or
Northwest they will move across the river and
take uu quarters on the east side of the Iowa
bluffsl
'The other day, before We had that frost,
noticed the crows huttering around in pecu-
liar manner, and Just before sunset they moved
over to the swamp along Cut-OH Lake. at
once knew that there was going to be colder
weather and the crows were seeking warmer
place near the water. They have plenty of
other ways of telling me what to expect in the
way of weather. and really / have got so used
to them that would be lost II they were to
move their quarters"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
INTERNATIONAL GREED IN AFRICA.

The way in which the European powers
are striving to get ahead of each other in
grabbing all the uDapprOpriated African
territory is shown by the report that Ger
many is already fearful that Great Britain
may secure the services of Stanley in the
work of African colonization; and will
endeayor to enlist Emia Pasha on her
side. 1t is pity that the broad and unset
fish view by which the Congo region was
placed under the protection of civilization,
with exclusive privileges to no particular
Government, should be supplanted in other
parts of Africa by the selfish and short
sighted attempt of each nation to seize
everything it can get for the benefit of fav-
ored trading companies. If Stanley and
Emin maintain their previous records, they
will refuse to be made subservient to such
greedy schemes; but will devote their ener-
gies and knowledge to securing an interna-
tional policy which shall protect the Afri-
cans against oppression and open the conti-
nent to the trade of all countries upon equal
terms
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
A WOMAN'S BATTLE WITH BRUIN.
The Wife of a WOOdsman Bravely Fights
IInIr Rrnrn-

nm Ugly Brute.
TURNwooD, N. Y, December 1.-The wife of
Marcus Sisson, woodsman, living near Mill
brook Mountain, on the BeaVerkill, had a des-
perate encounter with a big male bear last
Tuesday. Her husband had been away in the
woods hunting bears for two days but his
fortunate arrival upon the scene while the con-
fiict was raging between his wife and the bear
probably not only saved her life but the lives
of their babe and 4-year-old son Johnny as
well.
At the time of bruins appearance Mrs
Sisson was hanging out her washing in the
yard. Suddenly there was great commotion
in the house and a terrific barking from little
house dog which had been Mapping near the
bsby's cradle. Johnny ran to the door and
added his cries to those from inside by yelling
at the top of his lungs:
"a bar, momiel a big, big bar IS arter
baby"
Mrs. Sisson dropped her work and, seizing
keen-edged ak from the woodpile, rushed into
the house shouting:
loftrF
Johnny hastily scrambled up the ladder out
of harms way, and Immediately there began
desperate battle between his mother and the
bear. The ferocious brute, which Mrs. Sisson
saw was bleeding from its right shoulder, where
it had doubtless been shot by some hunter, rose
on its hind legs and clawed at her v1ciously.
For few moments the heroic woman welded
her ak with good effect, inficting a dozen
wounds on the BRUTE but unfortunately none
of them were fatal OF disabling.
Finally, feeling her strength failing, Mrs.
Sisson gave one long, agonizing scream for
help. She was answered almost Immediately
by the loud baying of hounds close by. At this
moment bruin, with blow from one of his
great paws, knocked the AK from her hand and
wounded her painfully on her right arm. She
sunk to the floor, but before the bear could
seize her, two huge black hounds, which she
knew to be her husbands dogs rushed in and
tackled the bear. A moment later, while the
dogs were battling with the brute. her husband
rushed in and blew the bears brains out with
shot from his Winchester. When the bears
carcass was examined it was found that the
brave woman had cut it in 16 places with her ak
during the battle. 1t weighed, when dressed,
240 pounds.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

are informed Of The most interesting part of
this diary is the record Of a correspondence be-
tween Miss j. and the Duke OF Wellington.
! Miss j., at the age of 20 was pretty English
i girl, whose chief characteristic was that she
was morbidly. obtrusively and disagreeably
pious. She succeeded one time in converting
condemned malefactor, whom both priest and
parson had given up in despair, and she in
ferred from that success that her mission was
to convert the world. She resolved to begin
with the Duke of Wellingtoni
The Duke of Wellington was a widower. 65
years old. deep in the tolls and cares of state.
Miss J.. wrote him an affecting epistle, and sent
him Bible. This was the beginning of cor
respondence which seems to be genuine, in
which for II years the great Duke somehow
found time. and more wonderful found pa
tience, to read pages upon pages of incoherent
and half illegible scrawls and to return brief
answers,
There is nothing particularly foolish in the
answers. The most foolish thing about 1t is
that there ever were any answers at all. Miss
J., after the first was not, it seems, altogether
disinterested in her concern for the Duke of
Wellington's soul. She had an idea that she
might become Duchess of WellingtOnl There is
no word in any letter of the Dukes to show
that he ever encouraged her. Miss ]. was sim
ply 4 dreadful bore. The wonder is that the
Duke endured it.
Christine Terhune Herrick has put the story
of these letters into shape, and done her work
very well, and the publishers have made a
pretty book out of it.
A writer in the NIneteenth Century for
November considering the conditions and
prospects of the Roman Catholic Church in
America. devotes quite a little space to the
pleasant task of showing what good thing the
church would do when Leo XIII. dies. by elect
ing Cardinal Gibbons in his place. An American
Pope would be new man in st. Peters chair.
And why not?
A cosmopolitan. broad-minded, progressive
Pope, without narrowness, without Intolerance,
would be at the head of things If such an cleo
tiOn could be brought about. Cardinal Glib
bons, in his robes of red, looks out from the
frontispiece of Ottr Christian Heritage John
Murphy Coz. Here is q book by a Cardinal
which may be read without offense and with
great profit by the most rabid Protestant
There is nothing new in it. nor anything par
tlcularly deep or remarkable. 1t is simply
plain, Straightforward statement, made for the
sake of plain people, Of the defenses of the
Christian faith. No points are touched here
which are in DISPUTE between good Christians.
The argument concerns objections to essential
Christian doctrine-the existence Of God. His
care for men. prayer, free will, reward and
punishment, and the divinity of our Lord, are
considered. A comparison of Christian with
pagan civilization is added. There is a chapter
on the religious element in the labor question,
and a1other on the dangers which threaten our
American institutions and well-being.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
A SHALLOW ARGUMENT.

One of the stock arguments of the trusts.
long ago dIsproved by experience, is re-
ferred to by the Albany journal, which is
an organ of that class of capital. The dec
larstion of an eminent clergyman, in his
Thanksgiving sermon, that lone of the
great evils of to-day is the trusts organized
by rich men wholly. The power of money
is destroying the honest return to our farm
ers by cutting down the real value of our
crops" caused the Journal to assert that the
clergyman should have been "more certain
Of his facts" It then goes to repeat the
stock argument:
The real truth is that the massing of capital
has made it possible to organize industrial en-
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
The Sun EcIipsed.

The sun will suffer an eclipse on the 22d. The
total phase will be visible along belt of coun-
try less than hundred miles broad, extending
from the east coast of Africa, across the conti-
nent, across the South Atlantic, and Just graz
ing the northern coast OF South America. The
partial eclipse will be visible over a much
greater area, but none of the eclipse will be
visible here. A party of American astronomers
has gone to st. Paul de Loando, on the west
coast of Africa to observe the eclipse, in charge
of Prof David P. Todd.
Very valuable information will without doubt
be obtained, If the weather prove favorable on
the eventful day. A circumstance which
is quite doubtful.
The Grecian mythology certainly deserves
the credit for the designations of great many
of the consultations, but the Roman has fur
nished, with one exception, the names for the
major planets, and they are as well chosen as
they could be, from what was known of the
planets when they received their names. Mer-
curry the nearest known planet to the sun. has
consequently the swiftest motion. combined
with the smallest orbit, which it gets around in
only SS days. 1t was this remarkable celebrity
of movement doubtless which suggested that
the name of Mercury, the swift messenger of
the GODS be given to the planet. In the early
part of last month he was morning star; on the
7th of the present month he passes to the east
ern side OF the sun and becomes evening star
On the last day of the year he sets at 8 o'clock,
one hour after the sun. He will be better seen
in the early part of January.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
AN UNUSUAL OCCUPATION.
A New York Man Who Makes Living by
Waking Folks Up.


From the New York Sun.l
"Theres man who has got job which will
keep him comfortable during his old age" said
o Twelfth precinct policeman to reporter
early yesterday morning. The speaker was
standing at the corner of Grand and Pitt
streets. The man whom he pointed out was a
short, stout person, whose gray hair and mus
tache gave evidence of his being close TO go
years of age. He was walking along Grand
street.
What does he doT' asked the reporter.
"WeIl, I'll tell you his history. He was
mechanic who got out of a job about two years
ago. Being used to rising early, he kept lt up.
though ont of work. A bartender living in his
house asked the old man to wake him every
morning. He consented, and continued to do
so for week or more, when the bartender ex-
planned TO o milkman how he managed 10 get
out of bed ON time. The milkman was late
riser and he got the old man TO wake him up
also IL was not long before the milkman told
a drowsy butcher of the scheme, and the old
man had another customer. The old man got
paid from each man, and reports Of his relia-
bility having got around among those who had
to get up early he soon had over dozen Gus
toners. He now has enough men to keep him
gong all night He has never been known to
let a man sleep after the time when he had to
get up For, as he says himself the man
might lose his job. and If he does lose Gus
toner He carries polieemans night stick
and huge bunch Of keys"
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
THE LAUGHING PHILOSOPHERS.

Bounced.-"How did vou come out in
your interview with Miss BuIlion's father7''
Through the window. .''-Nea0 York Commercial
Advertiser.
Mr.. Newlytied-I can see that baby will
be a great society leader when he grows up.
Mrs. Newlytied (delighted)-O, do you? Why9
Mr.. Newlytied-He gives ball every night
Toledo Blade.
She (between the acts)-Where are you
going?
He-Out to see a man for q moment.
Shells he going TO buy IL or are yOu?-PhfLG-
detphiG Inquirer.
''I saw curious freak of nature yester-
day.
f'What was it?''
ga PhiladelphIa man with insomnia. ''-Es'O
York EveHfng Sun.
Guest-Waiter, bring me cup of coffee.
Waiter-How will you have 1t, sir; weak or
strong?
Guest-J'd like it weak. but not week after
next. Hurry it up.-Tsras Sytfngs.
DEPENDS ON HIS RECORD.
''Does Richard smoke as much as he
Did years ago?'' 1 said,
81 really cannot say, - said she,
For Dick, you know, is dead -
-HslO York EVsnfn0 Sun.
A man who was deeply in debt was sick
unto death.
''Ah, - he sighed, ''ifI could only live until
had paid OF my debts"
''Humph." sneered the doctor, bluntly, 'you
want to live forever, do youg''-Tsras SU'tfn9s.
The Hartford CoUPant lays it down as a
general rule that the carver Of the turkeV always
gets the best pieces, while those tor whom he
carves get just what they don't want. Such per-
son may be called a carver down in Connections.
In other sections he is usually called hog-Bost0n
Herald.
Religion, Politics, or War,
Agitate not the world at present;
There is one all-absorblng question
That 'wakens thoughts both sad and pleasants
1t Is Where Is the cheapest place
To buy decent Christmas presentH'
-Tsras Slfttn0s.
Common Sense Wanted.-The railroad
which will adopt the idea OF using weights on the
window sashes fthe cars. so that they may run
up and down freely, as In our dwellings, may
never pay dividend 70 stockholders, but every
will advertise the line from Maine to
Texas as exhibiting common Sense.-Dstroit Ffss
Prsss.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

IF Claus Spreckels keeps on as he has
begun he will become decidedly popular fig
ure in American commerce. The Sugar Trusts
attempt to corner the new refner. by buying
up the entire stock of molasses sugar, was per-
mitted to 60 on until it had shown its hand.
when the old German made public the fact
that he had been supplying the trust from his
own surplus stock at round profit to himself.
This leaves no doubt that the trust recognizes
Spreckles as an active enemy, and is trying to
crush him; while it also proves that the latter
knows how to turn the biters into the bitten.
1t also illustrates the fact that with an even
chance it is not impossible to beat the all
powerful trusts at their own game
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
CHANGING SEASONS.
The Effect of the Enrih's Axis Upon It's Tenn
pernture-Ths Astronomical Programmes

The Effect of the Enrth's Axis Upon lis Tenn
pernture-Ths Astronomical Programmes
for the Month of December.
The sudden cold wave of last week has
brought US realizing sense that the winter
weather is here at last But for all that, the
season winter has not yet come. On account
of the extreme uncertainty of weather in gen
eral, it is impossible to divide the year INTO sea-
sons that shall hold for ali time. A somewhat
arbitrary division OF the year into four seasons
has therefore been adopted, the beginnings and
endings of which are marked by four critical
positions Of the earth in its orDlt, or, what Is
the same thing, by the positions of the sun IN
the heavens at these times.
Let rs follow tho earth in its annual Journey
about the sun and see how the seasons are
brought about. 1t will be necessary to under
stand few terms used in connection with the
subject. The carth's path through space is an
e1lipse. with the sun 1.50G000 miles from the
center Of the ellipse. The plane passing
through this ellipse, and, of course, through
the sun, too, is called the plane of the ecliptic.
The earth's axis is line drawn through the
north and south poles of the earth, and pre-
serves an unYarying direction in space. This
axis makes an angle of 6714o with the plane of
the ecliptic, and 1t is this fact which gives the
earth its seasons
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
1t Affects the Season.

Were it perpendicular we should have the
same temperature az any place the year round,
except for slight variation due to the earth's
varying distance from the sun. Those of the
other planets whose rotation can be observed
have their axis tilted in the same way, though
not at the same angle, and the more the axis
incllnes from the perpendicular, the more ex-
treme are the seasons.
Let us now see the circumstances in which
the earth is placed at the four times in the year
which mark the limits of the seasons, viz.
March 20. June q, September q and December
q On March 20 the earth is at the Vernal
Equinox and spring begins. At this time the
days and nights are equal in length the world
over. The sun is shining vertically upon the
earth's equator, and is travelling north.
On June 2l he has reached his greatest north
ern limit. 1879 north and shines vertically
down upon the Tropiclof Cancer. named from
the sign of the Zodiac the sun is IN at this time
This position is called the Summer Solstice, or
sun standing, because the sun here reverses his
motion and goes SOUTH Summer now com
mences.
Three months later on the earth has gone
around another quarter. and the sun is again
over the equator. This time we have the Au-
tumnal Equinox, and autumn begins.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
The Beautiful Venus.

Venus, the most beautiful of all the planets
to the unassisted eye, and the one which apears
worst of all in the telescope if the instrument
have any defect, is still morning star but will
soon go the way Of all planets, and lose herself
in the suns effulgence. On the last day of the
year she rises at about o'clock only three
quarters of an hour before lis solar majesty
Her diameter is about 10" and the phase nearly
full.
Mars is morning star and rises at 2:30 A. M
on the 5th; on the 25th he rises at 2 A. NJ. His
diameter is 56. He is in the constellation
Virgo. moving eastward. On the Sth he is 2V
South of the fourth magnitude star Theta, and
on the 10th 90 directly North of Spica, the prin-
cipal star of the constellation. He may be very
readily recognized by the red color. for which
he very appropriately received the name of the
Roman God of War.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
THE

he has demonstrated the worth of his dIscov-
cry. OF 10000 people inoculated with attenuated
virus only twenty-five have died. The statistics
would be more convincing If they told how
many of the 10000 had been exposed to yellow
fever since the incubation, and how many
were acclimated before; but with the presump-
tion from the fact that most of them live in
yellow fever country, the proof is strong that
Frere's discovery is equal to PAsteur's,
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

MR.. EDWARD j. PHELPS, in discours-
ing of divorce in the Forum, rejects Federal
and says that uniformity of State
laws is impossible, but wants the stimulus to
divorce taken away by making 1t illegal for di-
Eorced people TO marry again. How this IS TO
be secured. without either Federal legislation
OF uniform State laws, is something that Mr..
Phelps leaves our anxious Nation to study out
for itself
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
CHINESE WASHERS UNION.
Luundrymen Form n Combination and Fix
the Scale of Wages.

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE ptsPATc
NEW YORK, December 1.-The nine
tongues" or Chinese laundry companies,
which have controlled the business of this city,
Brooklyn and Jersey City, met at their Soon Fa
Coon 500 Hall, I6 Mott street, this afternoon,
to conclude their formal combination. such
congIomeration of boss washers was never be-
fore seen at a single meeting. Laundrymen
to the top floor of the building, and the joss
room where the meeting was held, was jammed
all the afternoon.
Each laundry belonging to the union will pay
IS a year. and anyone with card of member
ship may be employed by any laundry at union
rates. which are S2 day and board in the win
ter, ana So day IN summer.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
The Coming Of Winner.

When the earth has made another quarter
round the sun has reached the Winter Solstice
when he is 1872 south of the equator, and
shining vertically upon the Tropic of Capricorn,
SO named from the sign Capricornus in which
the sun is at the time. This marks the begin
ming of summer for the Southern hemisphere,
and OF winter for the Northern. OF course it
will be seen that the suns greatest distance
South should be in the middle Of the winter in
stead OF at the beginning, but the seasons lag
behind the SUMS influence to such an extent
thai this arbitrary arrangement does very well.
The suns apparent diameter on the 18th is
33' 81 corresponding to distance of 90, 500 900
miles. He rises on the 2lst. the shortest day in
the year. at 7:42 and sets 4:55, making the days
length hours and l3 minutes.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

Mr.. GLADSTONE figures out safe Leb-
eral majority in the next Parliament. The in
dications are good for the realization of his ex-
pectations; but American politicians know
from experience that it is much more reliable
to figure out majorities of that sort before cleo
ton than after
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
No Country for Them.

From the Detroit Free Press.
The Antwerp authorities who so severely
punished the owner and engineer of the cart
ridge factory which blew up last summer,
should never emigrate to the United States.
The spectacle of IL railroad accidents in one
month, with never person held TO blame for
one of them, would make life unbearable for
hon
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

"THE Ohio Republicans are no longer look
ing for an ISSUE" remarks the New York World
Perhaps not; but ifit is So the lack is fully made
up by the eagerness with which the Ohio Dem
ocrats are looking for an issue-of funds from
Senatorial candidates.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

The dread announcement that Mr.. Blaine
eats eggs for breakfast may be taken as sign
that the Secretary of State is contemplating
policy which may prejudice the interests of
future Democratic roosters.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

POSSIBLY some of the organs of the oppOsi-
tion may claim that the reason why the Federal
Steel Company is nipped in the bud is that it
despairs of being able to choke off competition
at the National capital.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

The discovery of steamship captains that
the Gulf stream has changed its course to the
westward, gives ground for the suspicion that
the stream has made up its mind to go to New
York and try to warm up the city to complete
its Worlds Fair guarantee fund.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
TRI-STAPE TRIFLEs.

A READING girl postponed her wedding be-
cause she was unabls to secure the white
horses owned by certain liveryman for the
date she had fixed. The animals are in great
demand for weddings and are said to bring
luck TO the bride
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02
Tor rho library.

The East End Council No, 276, Royal Ar.
canum, will give an entertainment in Gym
nasium Hall. Thursday evening. December s.,
for the benefit of the library fund.
Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-02

A CONTINUANCE of such bright winter
weather as we had yesterday will 60 far toward
permitting 1859 to redeem its reputation for
being the dampest and unpleasantest year on
record