davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Cost of Electric Lights.


From the list of cities in which lights
are supplied by private companies we
take the following statement of the num-
Der of lamps and annual charge per lamp,
where the lighting continues all night
and the lamps are of (nominal 1000
candle power: Alliance, o., 8 lights at
e144; Chattanooga, Tenn, 80 lights at
t121.6o; Fall River, so lights at $3.50;
Portsmouth, N. H., 60 lights at 800;
Petersburg, Va, 81 lights at 500; Bing-
hamton, 90 lights at $l40; indianapolis,
100 at $50; Atlanta, Ga, 100 at 1920;
Boston, 105 at $3.50; Milwaukee, 1870 at
$3.50; Reading, 1856 at S146.115; Dayton,
o., 5000 at $3.50; Poughkeepsie, gig at
1928; Harrisburg, go at 800: Philadel-
phia, 800 at S177; New Orleans, 400 at
$3.50; New York city, 1857 at 800.
In some of these cities the contract has
been made with two or three different
companies, but in no such case is there
any difference in the charge-in other
words, competition does not give lower
rates. Let us now give the figures OBJ
tanned from those cities which own their
own electric lighting plants. Hunting
don has so lights, $4s.64; Decatur, ILL.,,
50 at 800; Dunkirk, N. Y, So at $36.5O;
Madison, Ind, IS at $4s; Lewiston, Me-,
96 at $42; Hannibal, Mo-, 90 at $52; Chi
cago, 202 at $65. Taking an average of
the whole of the two tables, from which
we have only quoted a portion, we find
that the average price paid to private
companies is S105.1 13, and that the same
article furnished by the city itself costs
$52. 1-2 per light per year.-Engineer-
ing and Building Record,
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Spontaneous Combustion of Man.

Dickens has been very much criticised
for his apparent acceptance of the fact
of human spontaneous combustion, but
the late Sir William Gull testified to a
surprising case before tho committee of
the house Of lords on intemperance
during the summer of 1886. A large,
bloated man, who was suffering from
difficulty of breathing and great dis
tension of the venous system, died at
Guys hospital. At the post mortem Of
the following day there was no sign of
decomposition, but tho body was dis
tended with what was thought to be gas.
"When punctures wero made into the
skim" said Sir William, "and lighted
match applied, the gas which escaped
burned with the blue flame of carbu-
retted hydrogen. AS many as dozen
of these little flames We're burning at
one time. st. Louis Republic.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05

The common notion of the French
peasant as narrow minded, penurious
and not too moral person receives no
support from Mr.. Frederic Harrison,
whose personal study of French rural
life has nevertheless been very consider
able. The indomitable endurance Of the
French race has, he reminds us, enabled
France to surmount crushing disasters,
losses and disappointment under which
another race would have sunk. She
bears with ease national debt, the an
nual charge of which is more than dou-
ble that Of wealthy England, and taxa
ton nearly double that of England, with
almost the same population-ap permanent
taxation that exceeds 100 francs per
head, and is greater than has ever before
been borne by any other people. She
lost over one war sum not much short
of the whole national debt of England,
and she has written off without muir
mur loss of e4s,00O,OOO, thrown into
the Panama canal. If France is thus
strong, the backbone of her strength is,
in Mr.. Harrison's opinion, found in the
marvellous industry and thrift of her
peasantry.-London News.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
True AristOcracy,

A very wealthy lady went to a rough,
new town to spend few weeks One Of
the newly rich residents, who had been a
domestic before her marriage, called up
on her and in the course of conversation
said in an affected tone: "I almost died
of horrors when I came here. There is
no society and not a bit of style. sup
pose you find it fearfully dull"
"Oh, no." replied the other lady quiet.
ly; "Ialways find something to do. But
then am used to working; was q
printer before my marriage"
And was so glad to hear her say
printer" too, for 1t somehow sounds
more like common sense and work than
the nicer word "compositor." am sorry
one rarely hears now of printer, espe.
cially feminine one; they are always
compositors.-Cor. West Shore,
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
A Dove Iuncl,eOn.

A well known society woman has de-
veloped really new idea in the way Of
Il "dove luncheon" 1t has long been de-
clared by the lady's circle of friends that
she closely resembles the portraits of
Marie Antoinette, and taking this as a
suggestion she entertained last week a
dozen friends at what she called Louis
Seize luncheon. The hostess herself was
dressed in a gown that faithfully copied
one of the unfortunate queens, and each
of the guests had chosen some other fa-
nous woman of that period of famous
women, whom she personated in cos
tune and coiffure. The adorning of the
table and the service of the luncheon
was made as consonant as possible with
the rest of the affair, and the topic
chosen for conversation was the women
of the French revolution.-New York
Evening Sun,
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
a Columbus Novel.

We are about to celebrate the four
hundredth anniversary of the discovery
of the continent by Columbus. Many
readers, not aware of the fact, will be
glad to know that one of Fenimore
Cooper's novcls-"Mercedes of CASTLE"
is Columbus story. The hero of that
romance accompanies Columbus Oh his
vcnturous enterprise, and large part of
the narrative consists of an account of
the voyage, of the discoveries, and all
that occurred. At this juncturc readers
will find it timely and entertaining. Tho
real experiences of Columbus are inter
woven with some romantic adventures
of the hero, and there is introduced in
the story an Indian girl, Ozema, who is
probably the most fascinating of all tho
savage beauties that figure in felton,
Appleton's.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Cincinnati building Associations,

The building association interest in
this vicinity is at this time more than
ever before in need of central ex-
change. Many of the savings societies
in Hamilton county have accumulations
of money not invested. These idle accu-
mutations vary in amounts from 1000
to 100000. OF the $40 building associa-
tions in this vicinity probably fifty have
at all times idle capital, and fair aver
age of the amount on hand would be
$4,000 for each one, or 100000 in all,
which at 6 per cent per annum would
be $4,000 actual loss annually to the
building association fraternity by reason
of non-invested funds. If there existed
an exchange supported by all the asso-
Citations in this vicinity then the idle cap
ital of the one could be diverted to ex-
cess needs Of the other, and the profit Oh
the loan would remain in the building
association circle and not go outside to
the banks. The cost of supporting such
an exchange, including rent, clerk hire,
gas, fuel, etc, would not exceed $4,000 a
year, or less than $40 for each associa-
ton, and would accomplish the saving of
$4,000 year for the fraternity. A move
ment looking forward to the establish
ment of the central exchange has begun.
Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Revised Version,

Little Kate was one Of those children
who furnish their parents with interest
ing and amusing anecdotes One Sunday
afternoon she came to her mother and
begged for a Bible story. Her mother
was reading, but Katie begged hard, and
at last said: eff you will tell me Bible
story first, mamma, then will tell you
real good one, too.'
Her mother related the story of Sam
son and the lion, and of the bees which
came and stored their honey in the lions
carcass
"And now what is the Bible story you
are going to tell me?' she asked.
With perfect gravity Katie began at
the beginning and repeated the story
which had just been told to her, using
almost the same words. Her mother let
her go through it, and then said:
"But that is the very story told you.
Do you think that is fair?'
30, mamma!' the child answered
quickly, "this isn't the same story at all,
for my bees were humble bees. youths
Companion.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05

Prospectors in Winston county had q
most exciting encounter with reptiles,
the particulars of which have just be-
come known. 1t is well known that for
years a snake den has existed in that
county, and travellers have told of the
remarkable number of huge snakes to be
seen under a certain rock. Climb up to
the rock above the den, and seemingly
thousands of snakes appear below, writh-
ing about as if in agony, cntwined about
each other in an indescribable mass. If
a stone is dropped down into this den an
odor arises which, it is stated, almost
renders those above unconscious.
A party of prospectors visited this not
ed den and one of them, having heard
the story of the sickening odor emitted
from these reptiles, concluded to test it
and dropped stone. The odor was
more sudden than usual and stronger
than ever known before, and the pros
pector, it appears, being unable to re-
pei its effects, became dizzy and fell into
the snake den below. His Mortified
companions looked over the precipice
and saw him fall among the snakes and
then supposed that he was killed. But
when he struck the shelf of rock which
was occupied by the snakes he rolled off
and fell, his body striking the branches
of Il tree, where he lodged. As he fell
from the den it was seen that snake
was clinging to his arm, another around
his body, and still another around his
leg, but in some almost miraculous way
these were all knocked off by the branch
es of the tree which he fell into.
His companions ran at once to the bot
tom of the mountain, then went back to
the tree, which they climbed, and found
the unfortunate man alive, but uncon-
scious. They took him to neighboring
cabin, and it was found that, while he
was considerably bruised and had bro
ken arm from the fall, none of the snakes
had bitten him in any exposed part Of
the body, and he was not injured by his
thrilling experience except, as stated,
from the fall.-Alabama Cor. st. Louis
Globe Democrat.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
VICTIMS OF ABSENT MINDEDNEss.
He Wns Married. but IIc Forgot That He
Was to Tnlko u Wedding Trim

nv ssNS -NNtiISNS put Atc EOTSOL 1nHt Ik0
Was to Take ~ Wedding Trip.
"Ncver was absent minded in my
lfe," said the little man, who tugged
nervously at his bristling mustache.
"But my father had one of the worst
cases ever heard of. He was a man
who used the good old fashioned birch
generously. To add to the good effect of
the punishment he used to send us out
to cut the switch. If it was not good
one he sent us back for another. Once
he sent me on one of these melancholy
errands, and as my offense had been
playing hockey from school for three
days, l was in no hurry to return for
my punishment. When 1 came to the
room he was pacing thoughtfully up and
down the room.
James, he said, 4 am glad you have
come. wanted you for something, but
it has slipped my mind. will recall 1t
III moment.' And discreetly backed
out of the room with my birch behind
me, and tossed it over the fence. That
was the last 1 heard of that switching"
Case of suspended Judgment" said
some one, softly.
MY brother, continued the firstspea
er, "was as bad as my father. He lives
i'll New England town and he went to
Boston once to transact some business
which would occupy two days. At the
end OF four days he had not returned.
His wife's anxiety was relieved OH that
day by Il telegram, which read: What
did come to Boston for? Have been
trying to remember for three days.
"'Real estate telegraphed his wife.
"'Of course came back the answer"
''That reminds me-" said one of the
party, "of n friend of mine. He was a
lawyer in a small town, and frequently
after working late at night at his office
would sleep on a comfortable lounge
which he had in back room. When he
was married there was wedding break.
fast at the brides home and the couple
We're to start on an evening train for
wedding trip. H had to run around
to his Office for few moments, having
forgotten some little thing which had to
be attended to. The hours went on and
H failed to returned to his bride.
When train time came and no bride
groom appeared every one was thrown
into a panic.
"The bride tainted, and the news spread
like wildfire in the little town that H
had abandoned his bride and fled the
town. The only ono who seemed not to
suspect him was the bride. She, how
ever, only shed tears, refusing to listen
to any condemnation of her missing hus-
band, but declining to offer any sugges-
tions. Finally sho could stand the strain
no longer, and posted her father to
lis Office. H had gotten deel.
into his work and was just on the point
of going to sleep on his lounge. Ho was
SO broken up over his cruel blunder
that he was ashamed to face any one but
his wife, and extended his two months
wedding trip over year. They made
ono of the happiest couples in the world,
out to this day his wife has to find his
hat for him and remind him what he
wants to do when he leaves the house" :"
New York Tribune.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05

A curious group of rocks near Milan
has recently been described by member
of the Paris Academy of Sciences. 1t is
known as Montpellier-le-V An ir-
regular mass of rocks, some 200 feet high,
resembles the towers of citadel in a
striking manner. The citadel is sur
rounded by five depressions 300 or 400
feet deep, of which one appears like an
amphitheatre, second metropolis, a
third parade and the fourth a regularly
laid out city quarter, with public monu-
ments, gates, straight streets and inter-
sections suggesting at once such places
as Pompeii, Carnac and Persepolis. The
whole "city," covering an extent of some
200 acres, is surrounded by natural
wall 300 to 400 feet high. 1t is most
wonderful freak of natu-e.-St. Louis
Republic.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Lon,lon Doctor,, Incomes.

The fact that the will of the late Sir
William Gull has been proved, showing
property to the amount of 81, $50, 900, has
created much talk of late. It is beyond
doubt that for the last few years, since
physicians have doubled their fees, and
since both branches of the profession are
constantly in receipt of very large sums
for expeditions by rail, the earnings of
members of the healing art have very
largely increased. There are possibly
dozen medical men in London who at
their death will be found to have amass-
ed $500, 900, but there is probably not one
who has put by anything like the for
tune left by Sir William Gull.-Chicago
Herald.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
FIJIAN BREAD.
Gov the Natives Manipulate the Fruit OF
the Brentlfruit Tree.

~~,s ~--~
the Brendfruit Tree.
The first mention of the breadfruit re-
calls the mutiny of the Bounty, whose
mission was to transplant this tree from
Otaheite, as the early navigators called
it, to Jamaica. In his dangerous voyage
in an open boat Bhgh sailed athwart
this Fijian group with gale raging at
his back. He passed canoe filed with
warriors, and as he hurried by the ma
tives stood up and pointed to tho loom
of land to the southwark and shouted
"My-wollah,' but what in the world
this may mean the man does not live
who can tell. Baked or boiled, the fruit
is starchy, somewhat sticky vegetable,
with no earthly resemblance to bread.
1t differs from the yam IN that it may
not be preserved for future use, but in
its natural state must be eaten at once
Yet, preserved, it is, after peculiar dis
tressing fashion, not at all pleasant to
the civilized taste.
The ripe fruit is stripped of its sticky
rind and is grated on blocks of coral,
and when reduced to a shapeless mass is
vigorously pounded with a pestle in a
mortar. While some are thus preparing
the pulp others arc engaged digging pits
OH the pebbly beach about half tide
level, each pit of about a bushel capacity
and lined with banana leaves. Each of
these pits is then filled with the pulped
breadfruit packed hard, the stones are
thrown back upon it, and little heap
marks the spot where the dainty is pre-
served. Twice every day the tides come
in and salty saturate the buried food,
twice every day for at least four months,
for short of the expiration of that time
the preserve is not considered at its best,
the limit in the other direction being
certainly not less than year.
AS need for the food arises the pits are
opened, and then the reek of rottenness
spreads down the wind. The process of
preserving is but that of decay aided by
the sea water, and it naturally results
that the preserve smells to the skies
when its repose is disturbed. Little do
the Fijians care for this smell, on which
they have been nourished, though to the
last man their gorge would rise at cavi-
are or high cheese such as is in favor
with us. The fruit that went into the
pit as pulp comes out MS thick custarl,
and is nodded into little cakes of the size
of mans hand and, each wrapped in
banana leaves, is put into u pot and
steamed. After cooking the distinctive
odor appears to be redoubled, but the
cake is sweet and extremely pleasant to
the taste if only the nose can be coerced
into giving over its lively repugnance to
that which goes beneath it to the mouth.
This is the madria nj viii, the Fijian
bread, which is everywhere eaten and
relished.-Montreal Star.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
SOME OLD FASHIONED STOCKS.
Millionaire Jay Gould Tolls About Some
of Their Uses Near New York.


It was not till 1895 or 1907 that a
church was erected in Harpers6eld. 1t
was built from contributions made by
the inhabitants, each one furnishing ma
terial of some kind, such as hewn timber,
boards, shingles, ETC., heing so very poor
at the time that few could furnish any
money. The same year place was built
called stocks, and a whipping post pre-
pared by Isaac Pierce for the purpose of
inflicting punishment on any who had
been charged with crime and found
guilty of the same by jury. A good
deal of curiosity was exhibited, espe-
cially among the fair sex, to get
glimpse of the ordeal, and after they
We're completed Alexander Harper, who
was fond of an innocent joke, invited
his wife to accompany him and examine
the stocks, which were SO arranged that
by placing the criminals foot in and
making it fast he could not escape. He
therefore requested his wife to put her
foot in, telling her that "that fool of a
Pierce had made them, and they would
not hold any one."
She put in her foot and he let down the
block, locked the same fast and walked
off amid the hearty laugh of the specta-
tors and her own earnest entreaties, but
soon returned and released her 1t was,
however, regarded rs n rich joke for
many years afterward. But one person
was ever whipped at the post, and he
soon left the county. 1t may be remark
ed In this place that three whipping
posts were erected i'll Delaware county
at about the same period-the one al
ready mentioned, in Harpersfeld, one on
the place now owned by ex-Sheriff
Thomas, but then in possession of Silas
Knapp, who kept a grocery there for
several years, and the other near Col.
Dimnick's in Middletown.
There was but one person whipped, as
| have been able to learn, at either of the
last named whipping posts. This person
was one Turner, a carpenter by trade.
The charge which was brought against
him, and which he finally confessed, was
stealing some fifty pounds of flour be-
longing to Ezra Halt, from Squire Roses
mill. After sentence was passed he was
fastened i'll the stocks, which were con-
structed of heavy plank, followed out
above and below sufficiently to contain
mans legs when the planks were shut
together. They were secured by lock.
He was left in the stocks for day, fur
nishing good mark for tho boys, who
showered him with rotten eggs The
next day he was taken out and fastened
to the whipping post, when the remainder
of his sentence, fifty lashes, was inflicted,
when he was allowed to leave the county,
which he was not long in doing.-Jay
Gould's History of Delaware County.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
A Cunning Dog.

Agood dog story is always appreciated,
because canine sagacity seems incxhaust-
ible i'll its resources. A Glasgow gentle
man owned avery intelligent Newfound-
land dog, who accompanied his master
wherever he went, and was his INSOFAR
able companion in his visits and to
church. One evening the gentleman
Went to visit a neighbor. The dog at
tended him. 1t was quite late when the
gentleman started for home and, to his
surprise, the dog could not be found.
After the family had retired there was a
great noise i'll the kitchen. twas supposed
that burglars were robbing the house.
Soon there was a crash and smash like
the breaking of a window, and then all
was still. The morning revealed the
mystery. The dog had fallen asleep
under the table. He had ;realized that
his master had gone home, and the noise
heard was the attempt of the dog to
make his escape. AS there was no other
way to get out the sagacious animal
went through the window, taking the
glass and frame with him.
1t was n long time before his master
visited that house again. When he did,
his dog accompanied him, and the ami
NAL found his way through the open
door of the kitchen to his old hiding
place under the table. When the mas
ter was about to start for home neither
his hat nor cane could be found. After
II long search the dog was discovered fast
asleep under the table; ono paw was OH
his masters hat, the other resting OH his
stick. How the dog obtained possession
of those articles no ono could tell. He
remembered his last visit to tho place,
and how scurvily he had been treated.
The sagacious creature resolved not to
be left behind next time. He knew that
his master could not go home without
the hat and stick, and that he would be
awakened when the owner got ready to
start. His plans We're acutely laid, and
if he had been human he could not have
done better.-Boston Budget.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05

"When first arrived in New Zea-
land" said an Anglican bishop, "a Maori
chief came to me and said that lie wish
cd to be baptized. knew that he had
two wives, so told him that he must
first persuade one of them to return to
her family. He said he feared that would
be difficult: but that he would sec what
could be done and come back to me in
two months. When he returned he ex-
claimed: Now, missionary, you may
baptize me, for have only one wife l
asked: What have you done with our
dear sister, yo"s' first wife? He replied,
smaching his lips: 4 have eaten her. -
San Francisco Aryonant.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
A TRIBUTE.

Art thou that poet Of whom 1t is told
That thy thoughts are as pure MS virgin goldl
Art thou that I4ongfellow of whom men tell
That thy tones are as sweet as a silver bell!
Art thou that artist who can disclose
Pure love in the heart of new blown rose?
Art thou that philosopher who caa scan
The innermost thoughts OF thy fellow man?
Is it shown to your vision before your eyes
The thoughts that como from the starry skiesi
You watch the tiniest blade of grass
That grows at your feet rs you daily Hass;
lesson of beauty you quickly unfold
Like an emerald gem in band of gold
Let all men praise thee with royal rhyme,
In words that shall live till the end of time
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Daring Criminals.

A burglar named Heine, while being
taken from Louisville to Eddyville, KY,
to work ON a prison contract, escaped
from the train in a daring manner. He
walked forward in the car to get drink
of water. When near the door he seized
the guard, choked him to insensibility,
and, with another convict who was help
ing him, jumped off the train and dis
appeared in the darkness.-Philadelphia
Ledger.
The Dickinson press., 1890-07-05
Don't Toy with Your Exes

Many people are troubled with itching
eyes and try all sorts of washes. The
eye is one of the most valuable organs of
the body. Unfortunately for careless
humanity, it is also one of the most deli
cate. 1t does not pay to trife with it.
The best way to treat itohing is to use
cool, weak salt water wash every few
hours. If this does no good, go to a
physician who makes speciality of eye
diseases.-New York Journal.