davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
History Of Finger Rings.

Nobody seems to be able to tell ex-
actly when finger rings were worn first"
said dealer recently. 1.-The wearing Of
finger rings has been almost universal,
and the custom began at very early
period of the worlds history. Some ira
ditions say that Tubal Cain was the first
one to decorate his fingers with dainty
piece of metal
The first authentic reference to finger
rings occurs in the Old Testament, where
Judah's signet ring is mentioned 1t is
also evident that they were in use among
the Egyptians at that time, for Pharaoh
is said to have taken the ring off his own
finger and put it on Joseph's hand when
he made him ruler over Egypt.
The Egyptians were evidently very
fond of rings, for the hands of female
mummies that have been found have
been profusely decorated with rings,
many of them having very costly ones
on every finger. The poorer class seem
to have worn rings, too, but of cheaper
material, such as bronze, glass and pot
terry. The ancient Chaldeans and Per
slams used to wear rings.
In those days rings seem to have been
worn not so much for ornament as for
practical purposes. They were used for
sealing. The Romans used to wear signet
rings of iron, and every free man had
the right to wear one. Ambassadors in
the early days used to wear gold rings as
part of their official dress. This priv
ilege of wearing rings was afterward ex-
tended to chief magistrates and senators.
The emperors used to confer this right
upon those whom they wished to favor
Nowadays the wearing of rings has no
particular significance except the we'd
ding ring or the engagement ring Any
body who wants to and who can afford
to purchase one can wear a signet ring.
The custom of wearing rings is very
popular one, and the manufacture of
them forms one of the most important
branches of the jewelers. industry. New
York Mail and Express.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
To Destroy Rabbits.

1t having been alleged that the Aus
tralian government had refused to allow
M. Pasteur the reward of eco, 900 offered
to the person who should suggest the best
plan for the destruction of the rabbits
that infest the antipodean colonies, the
savant has been interrogated on the mat
ter. He says that he has not been re-
fused the reward, for the simple reason
that he never sought it, and that owing
to circumstances over which he had no
control he could not claim such reward
When he read in the newspapers that
the Australians desired to get rid of their
rabbits he Immediately thought of his
method. Experiments Of a necessarily
restricted character enabled him to ar
rive at the conclusion that rabbit virus
was most violent, and that, by inoculat-
ing few animals with it, it could be
rapidly communicated to any number of
them. He accordingly sent NJ Loir, his
nephew, and another of his assistants to
Australia in order to try the experiments
which he had made in his laboratory on
more extended scale.
The assistants returned to France after
a few months, discouraged. According
to NJ. Pasteur, they were not allowed by
the commission appointed by the Austria
liam government to effect any important
experiments. This commission permit
ted the assistants to inoculate few rab-
bits, and the experiments were success
full enough to warrant a further extern
sion Of the authorization; but all sorts of
delays and adjournments were caused
until the assistants abandoned all hope of
being able to carry out the purpose for
which they had undertaken the voyage
to Australia. Such is M. Pasteurs al
most vertabim version of the affair of the
antipodean rabbits. Chicago Herald.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

1t is nothing more or less than the fig-
ure of general made of ginger bread
which Clavette buys every year at the
Place du Trone. When he gets home he
hangs his purchase on a nail. You know
the effect of the atmosphere on ginger
bread. The slightest moisture renders it
soft; in dry weather, on the contrary, it
grows hard and tough. Every morning
on going out Clavette asks his servant:
"What does the general sayT"
The man forthwith applies his thumb
to the figure and replies:
The general feels tlabby about the
chest; you'd better take your umbrella. -
On the other hand when the symptoms
are hard and unyielding" our worthy
colleague sallies forth in his new hat
Almanach de rAlelier.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

According to The New Orleans Plea
yune the worknen pulling down the
Saengerfest building, where the wonder
full feasts of music were given, by placing
their ears to the planks which formed
part Of the building, particularly the
thin planks, can hear faint sounds of
music. Scientific gentlemen who have
examined the matter express the opinion
that the phenomenon is due to the fact
that unseasoned wood used in construct
ing the building subsequently contracted
very rapidly, and while in process of
contraction the woody fiber was i'm
pressed by the great musical vibrations,
and now that the planks are exposed to
the freedom Of expansion the musical
sounds are developed
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
American DuelH.

Every little while the continental news
papers publish accounts of what they are
pleased to call American duels," though
why American is beyond comprehen-
sion, since such idiotic affairs were never
heard of this side the Atlantic. At Ger
nowitz, in Austria, a youth of 18 was re-
Gently found dead in bed, having poi
soned himself with strychnine. He left
letter to his mother, in which he &C
counted for his self murder by saying
that he had agreed with a comrade to
fight an American duel" which con-
sists simply in drawing lots to see which
of two fools shall kill himself.-San
Francisco Chronicle.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
PERSONS Tint Turn to Air

Nearly 200 people mysteriously disap-
peared from the city of Philadelphia
during the year ending with the opening
Of April. This is a remarkable exhibit
and one which reminds the writer of an
article which appeared in Il French scien-
titic journal two or three years ago,
wherein the author advances the theory
that death is occasionally actual dissolu-
ton, 1t is disease, the writer referred
to maintains, but one from which there
is no suffering; there's holiness or warn
ing Of approaching end; the patient sud
denly ceases to exist and as suddenly
fades from sight. He says he has actu-
ally witnessed this phenomenon and that
he was at one time walking with friend
who suddenly vanished and has never
reappeared. With such conclusive tes-
timony he has little doubt that many
persons searched for have actually melt
ed into thin air. He further states that
at the moment his friend disappeared
strong sulphurous odor pervaded the at
mosphere.-5t. Louis Republic.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
wasn,t Losing His NTnmnrr-

Scene-Scotch railway station. Ticket
collector, in making his collection. finds
an old gentleman fumbling in his pockets
for his ticket
Ticket Collector-Tickets, please.
Old Gentleman-Pm just lookin' for il.
Ticket Collector-Well, I'll look in again
in few minutes. See and have it ready
then.
Ticket collector returns shortly; but the
old gentleman is still hunting for it.
Ticket Collector (suddenly)-Why. YOU
have it in your mouth, mani
Old Gentleman giving him the ticket
oh, so haze! Here you arel
Another gentleman in the carriage. as
the train moves on, to first gentleman
I'm afraid your losing your memory, sir.
Old Gentleman-Nae fear O. that; nae
fear o thatI The ticket was a fornicbt
ould, and wis jist sookin' the date aft
acknowledgements.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
4 HospitabIe Church.

"a curious and somewhat significant
incident took place during the Easter
evening service in Grace church." said
woman who was present. The congre-
CATION was not large, but in nearly every
pew on the south aisle at least one person
was seated. Two young ladies, apparent
ly strangers, came in late, and presum-
ably applied to the usher for places, as he
was observed motioning them to 20 up
the aisle He did not accompany them.
They went on slowly, looking from right
to left, and evidently hesitating about
the propriety Of entering, unlimited. a
pew that already had an occupant.
Heads were turned to gaze at them as
they went on up 10 the 1t slip in front
of the chaucel. There they tarned and
came back down the aisle. Their cheeks
were flushed with embarrassment, and
one young girl had tears in her eyes as
they hurriedly left the hospitable portals
of the sanctuary. New York World.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Inventing the spectroscope.

When one strikes a common sulphur
match the phosphorus burns with pur-
plish fame, then the sulphur with a yell
low hue, and last of all the wood glows
with reddish rays. From noticing that
every substance yields its own peculiar
color in burning, Sir John Herschel long
ago suggested that these colors might
serve to identify the substances showing
them. Some time after he threw out
the suggestion the spectroscope was de-
vised, and now by its aid we are able to
tell what elements are aglow. not only in
the sun, but in the stars as well. George
lies in New York Sun.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Weak Hearts Not Common.

Weak hearts are by no means so COM
mon as is often supposed. Many a man
who thinks he has got one is merely dys-
peptic; many woman owes her symp-
toms to tight lacing or insufficient feed
ing. If the dyspepsia be cured and the
tight lacing dispensed with the symptoms
of heart weakness will disappear Even
when the heart is genuinely weak" the
weakness is not always due to special
disease of that organ. 1t may be only
part of a general weakness of the whole
system, which is easily curable.-Ameri-
can Analyst.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Tho EYeninc Star.

A brilliant star shines in the glowing
west as the month Of April draws to a
close. 1t is the planet Venus, the earth's
twin sister, the most beautiful object in
the heavens after the sun and moon.
She commenced her course as evening
star on Feb. Is, but has been so near the
sun that she has been invisible until
nearly the present time.
She Will shine with increasing splendor
through the rest of the spring, the entire
summer and a part Of the autumn, and
will complete her course as evening star
early in December Companion.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Victoria as Godmother.

The queen does not shrink from incur
ring spiritual responsibility. she is, at
her own wish, to be godmother to the
infant daughter of the Duke and Duchess
of Portland. It would be interesting to
have list of the children on whose be-
half the sovereign has stood sponsor, and
who, in consequence, are fifty named
Victoria. 1t is said that in this case the
desire was signifed because of the report
which was current at the time of the
dukes marriage that he was not in favor
at court.-London Figaro.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
An ENRrcise for Health.

If YOU are troubled with too much
blood in the head, the best thing you can
do for a simple remedy is to take the
twisting movements of the trunk at the
waist. Keep the feet firm, turn the
trunk as far rs possible to the right till
you face riSht-four times; the same to
the left; then altern&st the movements.
Next, bend the body strongly and slowly
to the right, from the waist, then to the
left Again bend forward as strongly
as possible, from the waist, then slightly
back, at first, increasing on the back
movement later, as you are able. Mary
L. Allen in Youths Companion.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
DESTROYING a Magnificent Elm.

Thursday morning, after most of the
citizens of West Medford had started to
pursue their usual avOcations in Boston,
gang of laborers, acting under instruc-
tons of the road commissioners, began
an act of vandalism which has aroused
the greatest Indignation among the people
of the beautiful village. A most mag
niicent elm, estimated to be about 225
years old, over 100 feet high and thirteen
feet in girth ten feet from the ground,
has stood on the side of the highway, the
admiration of every lover of the beauti-
full. Its graceful limbs spread entirely
across the street, and every tiny twig that
marked its slender tracing against the sky
was bursting into bloom, and the tree
was never in a more fourishing condi-
ton, but because its trunk encroached
upon the street trife the commissioners
resolved secretly upon its destruction, and
it now lies beside the road, majestic even
in its fall. Several times before has this
tree been threatened, but the almost
unanimous protest of citizens has saved
it. But this time no notice was given,
no hearing was allowed, and the destroy
er has done its perfect work-Boston
Post
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Four Million Miles Of RIooo.

The mathematical fend has recently
been at work upon a calculation of the
work performed by the human heart.
His calculations are curious and give the
work of the heart in miles and BEATS II
is based upon the presumption that the
heart beats sixty-nine times each minute
and throws blood nine feet. Computed
thus the mileage of the blood through
the body might be taken as 2O7 yards
per minute, miles per hour, 1863 miles
per day, 81 1920 miles per year, or 4,292.-
400 miles a lifetime of 70 years!-St.
Louis Republic.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

An English medical commission has
made some experiments on female monk
evs to discover the effect Of tight lacing.
The monkeys were put into a plaster OF
paris jacket to initiate stays, and tight
bandage was bound about the waist to
initiate the petticoat band. Several OF
them died, and all showed serious inju-
ries resulting from the treatment.-Phil-
adelphia Ledger.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Recreation and Work.

me man of our time would be stronger
and better if he did not work so many
hours. l mean not only the day laborer,
but also the brain worker. We have not
yet adapted ourselves to the changed
conditions which modern inventions
have brought to us. When we are adapt
ed to them-when our recreation hours
are longer and our working hours are
less-we shall do more than we do now,
and it viii be better work.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
walt Whitman,s CONDITION.

Walt Whitman, the poet, is in very
poor condition at his cottage in Camden.
His paralysis has made him almost help
less and his physical condition is so weak
that his physicians have insisted that he
shall not talk with any one for more than
a few words at a time. He Il poor, but
not neglected, as friends in Philadelphia
constantly supply his wants and are even
now preparing to remember him on his
birthday with substantial fayors.-New
York Press.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

The three locomotives that went over
a sixty foot bank near Cape Horn mills,
on the Central Pacific road, some weeks
ago, have not been recovered. Car loads
Of coal cinders are being brought up
from the shops at Sacramento to be used
as bedding to support the necessary ap-
paratus for handling the engines, as the
ground is so full of water that no other
material can be obtained that will serve
the purpose so well.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Antiquity of Petroleum.

Petroleum has been known since the
dawn of history. For number of years
it was known to the Indians and early
settlers as Seneca oil. and used as a medi
cine, chiefly as linimenu.
The first systematic boring for petro.
leum began about 1857 to 1859, and in a
few years the product increased enor.
rnously. At present the yearly output
is between 10000, 900 and 100000 OF
barrels, and new fields are constantly
being opened. Russia has a great oil
field in Transcaucasia, near Ragu.-
Golden Days.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Nothing Like Politeness.

1t was on the rear platform of street
car, as crowd was going home from the
theatre.
Lets see," unused man who was
jammed on the railing to the one on his
left, "have we been introduced"
Il think not. Ny name is Taylor
"Ah! And mine Is Porter. Mr.. Tay-
lor, you are throwing time away trying
to get my watch. 1t is an old one and
out of repair, and won't bring you 81
Detroit Free Press.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Thirst of Wood PigeoG.s

Wood pigeons. in common with all
their congeners, are very fond of water
They are essentially thirsty. drinking,
not like most other birds, sip by sip. but
as horse drinks. at one long draught.
Water is also necessary to them tor bath
ing purposes. -MQntFeRl Star
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

A florist in London, England, has had
the happy thought of hanging trails OF
moss over and around the electric lights
in his window. The green and yellow
tints of the delicate leaves form lovely
veil for the light. which glimmers
through them without being diminished.
Chicago Mail
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Where American Export Wheat Is Sold

American -four chokes the waterside
warehouses and overflows into many
country channels, not only in London,
but Liverpool. while Glasgow is the
great mart for it in the north. Pacific
coast -four is not saIable in London: the
cargoes generally find their way to the
northwestern ports of England or to
Ireland. London Agricultural Gazette
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
No Food for Nine Years.

There is at Bourdeilles, in the Dor
dogne, a woman named Bourbon who is
said to have eaten nothing for nine years.
The truth of this story is now being put
to the test by strict watch over the
fasting woman, who has been under OBJ
servation for the last fortnight. She is
rather thin, but is described as being in
no way emaciated.-Cor. London Stand
ord
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

Plume de sole is the name of a new
trimming which will be much in vogue
for diaphanous summer gowns, and Is
made of double bands Of crepe, in any
of the light shades, gathered and pulled
up. This trimming is extremely appro-
pirate on bodices, making soft, becom-
ing finish at throat and wrists, and is
also used as a border for draperies.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

Caters Of finest, tllinnest black cloth
or of color to match the gown are much
worn, as they are cooler and softer than
boots. They are very carefully fitted,
lined with satin and worn over hose Of
the same shade, which will be all in open
work designs as soon as the weather be.
comes warmer.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
Rules for Amateur photographers,

There is great deal said about the
amateur photographer that might just
as well have been left unsaid. Those
who never were amateur photographers
don't realize that there is anything to it
but pull the string and press the button.
They don't know how it feels to sneak
through the streets with a camera under
one arm and encounter the suspicious
gaze of every man, woman and child
who knows that such thing as photog-
raphy exists There isn't anybody who
gets within sight of an instantaneous
machine who doesn't promptly reach the
conclusion that he is to be made the
victim of a Photographic conspiracy.
Sometimes this self selected victim will
stand around in an effort to look pretty
and make it as pleasant for the picture
taker as possible, and sometimes he will
issue peremptory challenge 10 mortal
combat You can never tell. And after
the photograph is obtained it is as likely
as not that the houses will look like
Chinese pagodas in horrible whirI of
dissipation. while the pictures of YOUR
friends make you sorry that they aren't
your enemies. There are lots of rules
that go with amateur photography but
the only true reliable way to deal with
a camera IS to take tout somewhere and
carefully break it. Washington Post.
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15
The Yellow Fever BacilIns-

DR.. II. c. Bernays was asked what he
knew about the yellow fever bacillus.
Nothing, and | do not believe any
one does. DIR. Domingo Frere, of Rio
Janeiro, claims to have identified it, and
his utterances and writings created a pro-
found sensation, but sanitarians and ply
sicians do not accept his conclusion. Two
American physicians, one an unknown
in Nebraska, have claimed to have made
the same discovery. Personally, l do not
believe that the microCOcCi in this disease
have been identified at all. DIR. Brewer,
of this city, profound student and ex-
perimenter in this branch of medical
science, | understand, repudiates the
Brazilian theory.
'As to the destruction of microbes, it
is my opinion that any forces, such as
gases or heat, that will destroy the germs
will also destroy all vegetable and animal
life coming within their influence. The
medical profession knows a great deal
about disease germs. The bacillus of
consumption has been discovered, identi-
fed and photographed, yet the forces
necessary to the determination of the
germs will surely kill the patient. Pri-
vately, think that the man who got up
this scheme of bombarding the microbes,
is a student Of human nature who, by
this means of a supposed struggle with
the disease. seeks to divert the minds of
the people from the peril which surrounds
them. The cannonading can do no harm,
and if it makes some people believe that
it is doing good, why SO much is gained. :"
Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-11-15

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