davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-10-31
England's Famous Botanic Gardens.

The botanic gardens at Kew are stated
to have been established about two CEN
turtles ago, the exact date being unknown.
A catalogue of the plants issued in 1768
mentioned fifty ferns, 600 trees and shrubs
and several thousand herbaceous plants.
Since 1910 no list has been completed but
it is estimated that the one now in prepa-
ration will enumerate of orchids about
l,4OO species; of ferns, LOO; of stove
plants, 1850; succulents, 1000; palms and
cycads, 500; greenhouse plants, 5000; her-
baceous, 1900; trees and shrubs, 5000. Inn
mense as is this collection, however. it IL
small in comparison with the whole Of
natures garden, which contains of flower
ing plants alone, as enumerated by Bent
ham and Hooker, 200 natural orders, 10000
genera and 100, 900 species.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-10-31

Incidents In the History Of the Fork.
A part of the history Of the fork, as told
by The Theological Review, runs as fol-
lows:
In 1911 an Englishman who travelled in
Italy made the following entry in his diary:
81 hcve observed in this country custom
which have not observed anywhere else
people when they cut their viands use
fork for doing it," He purchased one Of
them and took it home to England, but
when he was about to use it every one pres
emit ridiculed him, and he entered one day
in his diary: "Mr. Lawrence Whitaker,
my intimate friend, calls me 'Furcifer'
fork bearer), because use fork for eat
ing" It appears that the unhappy instru-
ment started the liveliest kind of contro-
versy and was denounced as an article
contrary to the usages of good society.
Theological talent took sides and hurled
anathemas from the pulpit against it.
"Why," exclaimed preacher, "the divine
creator has given to mankind two hands
with thumb and four fingers each which
it should employ in eating, and it is, there
fore, direct blasphemy to seek to improve
on his disposition, etc."
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-10-31

Oio you cVCI 30
into a lunatic asy-
lum?
Or hear the wild.
demoniac shrek of
the diseased mind?
Or read the aw-
full "tale of woe"
in a madman's
restless eye?
Short Of Dante's In
ferno there is nothing so
pitably fearful as such a
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-10-31
@!3ZZ!!;!z]
AN AWFUL INCREASE OF
INSANITY.
The Record for 1890 Is 100 Per Cent,
Greater Than for 1889.

Are we Rushing on to Niagara o
Lunacy?
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1890-10-31
THE CURIOSITY SHOP.
superstitions About the Apple In Eng.
land and Scotland.

SuDtrtttti0uh AUout tuo APPAo ssuk-
land and Scotland.
In Scotland and in England the apple d
very popular divining medium in love
matters. Part Of this popularity Is probar
bly, due to the common notion that the tree
of knowledge Of good and evil was an APP
pie tree. Horace mentioned the use OF
apple pies in love affairs. A lover would
take pip between the finger and thumb,
and shoot 1t up to the ceiling, and II ID
struck it his or her wish would be accom-
plished Nowadays maiden tests the
fidelity of her beloved by putting = pip In
the fire, at the same time pronouncing his
name II the pip bursts with report 1t Is
sign that he loves her, but should 1t burn
silently she is convinced of his want OF true
affection for her. This Is often performed
with nuts instead of pips.
Gay mentions the very common amuse-
ment of pairing an apple without breaking
the peel, and then throwing the strip over
the left shoulder, in order to see the initial
letter Of the lovers name formed by the
shape the pairing takes upon the ground.
This is often one of the many divinations
duly practiced on Halloween or All Saints
eve Another way ut the same season Ii
for the curious maiden to stand before a
looking glass combing her hair with one
hand and eating an apple held in the other.
The face of the future husband will then
be seen in this looking glass looking over
her left shoulder. Mrs. Latham, in her
Sussex Superstitions, gives another apple
charm. Every person present fastens an
apple on string hung and twirled round
before hot fire. The owner of the apple
that first falls off is declared to be upon
the point of marriage; and as they fall sue
cessively the order in which the rest of the
party will attain to matrimonial honors
is clearly indicated, single blessedness be-
ing the lot of the ono whose apple is the
last to drop.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

Sir John Lubbock maintains that there
are insects, and very likely even higher
animals, which perceive colors of which
we have no glimpse, and hear sounds
which to us are inaudibc. Yet we never
hear of human retina that includes in its
vision those colors depending on vibra-
tions of the ether which are too slow or
too rapid for our ordinary eyes, nor of a
human ear which is entranced with music
that to the great majority of our species is
absolutely inaudible. Again, we never
hear of human being who could perform
the feat, of which we were told only re-
Gently, of bloodhound. In dark night
it followed up for three miles the trail of
thief, with whom the bloodhound could
never have been in contact Che had Just
purloincd some rolls of tan from the tam
yard in which the dog was chained up),
and finally sat down under the tree in
which the man had taken refuge. Why,
we wonder, are those finer powers, which
so many of the lower animals possess, en-
tirely eXtingushed in man, if man be the
real heir of all the various genera which
show powers inferior to his own2 We see
no trace in animals of that high enjoyment
of the finer scents which make the bios
soming of the spring flowers so great de
light to human beings, and yet men ar,
entirely destitude of that almost uner
ring power of lacking the path of al
odor which seems to be one of the prin
cipal gifts of many quadrupeds and SOM
| birds. Chatter.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

1t was practiced by men, boys, women,
and girls in part of the gymnasium
specially reserved for it. The balls varied
considerably in size, and the rules for the
various games were numerous. Bathing
was much INDUCED in by the Greeks, and
hot, cold, and vapor baths were attached
to the gymnasia. After violent exercise
the athletes scraped of the dust and oil
with strigels or scrapers of metal or bone.
The cut shows an athlete thus engaged.
Warm baths were taken in the public OF
private bath-h houses as refreshment after
the days fatigue.
The Olympic victor, in early times at
any rate, received very substantial re-
wards. He won a money prize of con-
siderable value, and was welcomed back
to his native city as q hero and enter
tanned in its town hall by the dignitaries
of the state. The great sculptors of the
day executed his statue, and poets sang
his praises in odes which in some in
stances have become immortal. But in
later days public opinion altered very
much in this regard. The polished Greek
came to value intellectual strength more
than physical, and to esteem mental gym
nastics more than bodily exercise. The
severe training for prize-winning became
more and more exacting, and tended to
usurp an athletes whole attention, to the
exclusion of more liberal culture.
Athletes fell into disrepute in much the
same manner as professional runners,
boxers. and scullers have done at the
present day. The athlete was no match
for the polished thrusts of the philoso-
piers wit, and his heaviness, dullness,
and stupidity were constant target for
the comic poets subtle humor. Another
argument against athleticism was the
brutaliZing tendency of such contests as
the pancratium, in which the vanquished
competitor was put to the humiliation of
suing for mercy at the victor's hands.
Finally we may say that though the
pancratiast at any rate was not much
above the level of the modern prize
fighter the Greeks contrived, by the COM
blnation of literary and musical con-
tests with physical and by the aid of
sculpture and poetry, to throw around
their games an unequaled splendor. The
greatest painters and sculptors found
their models and the greatest poets their
heroes among the competitors at the
Olympic games.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

tn hs5a elves as competitors, and in order
that none might be kept away by war or
political disturbances general truce be-
tween all the cities of Greece was pro-
claimed and safe conduct to and from the
games insured to all competitors. The
first competition was sprint race of l25
yards and to this were added from time
to time wrestling, discus-throwing, box
ing and chariot racing. The running
track was called q stadium and was n
little more than 600 feet in length. The
original race WAS once up the course, but
in time races of double the course were
added, and we hear of races twelve,
twenty, or twenty four courses, the last
making q distance of about 5000 Yards
There were short races for boys of half
course.
AS regards speed it is very doubtful
whether the Greeks equaled the perform
ances of modern days. From what has
been said of the feshiness and grossness
of athletes and from representations on
vases, which show us men running with
their arms spread QUITO increase their
speed, as the German commentators say
quantity enough-we may fairly conject-
ure that their performances were moder-
ate, as regards time. The Greeks had no
means of taking the time of races at all
accurately, and ran merely to see which
competitor came in first, and not to beat
records.
Many instances of very long runs are
recorded in Greek history, but these are,
of course, tests of wind and endurance
and not of speed. AS the runners wore
no clothes it was impossible to distin-
guish them in any other way than by
means of herald, who proclaimed the
name and city of each competitor as he
advanced to the starting post. The races
were run in heats of four, and the man
who drew bye was thus often saved
heat. The winner of the final heat re-
ceived the prize, there being no second
or third premiums. For the wrestling
the body was anointed with oil, and to
counteract the too great slipperiness
sprinkled with sand. This was done in
special room of the gymnasium called the
konisterium, or sanding-room.
All kinds of feints and tricks were
used in wrestling, and many things were
permitted which modern rules do not
allow. The contest was begun with the
competitors standing upright, but was
continued after they were on the ground.
A man was not defeated until he had been
three times thrown. In the group shown
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

uany victory In three contests was SUM-
cient. but it appears that sometimes the
running and wrestling were omitted, and
it may have been on these occasions that
three successes constituted victory.
The most dangerous sports of all re-
main to be considered-the boxing and
the pancratium Greek boxers were not
content to use the naked fists, but bound
their hands and wrists with leather
thongs. Later on these thongs, which
were termed mild or gentle, were studded
with pieces of metal, and then the blow
must have been frightful, though inten-
ticnal killing of ones adversary was not
commended. 1t seems that, though great
skill, endurance, and courage must have
been required for such contests, the
Greeks did not understand the scientific
principles of boxing. We read of boxer
getting up on his toes in order to deal
deadly blow upon the top of his adver-
sarys head, and boxer was commonly
spoken of as a man with his ears
crushed"
A most terrible contest is related by
Pausanias. Two boxers of great skill
and strength could neither of them get at
the other, and therefore agreed to receive
blow turn and turn about. The first
struck his adversary full on top of the
head, while the other drove his fingers
into his adversary's stomach and pulled
out his entrails The dying man was
crowned victor, on the ground that the
fve-fngered blow was foul one.
After the competitors had thrown each
other the contest was continued on the
ground, and sometimes combatants were
choked or had their fingers and toes
broken. The pancratium was the lowest
and most brutal of Greek sports and was
not in favor with the Spartans, who con-
sidered it, as we'll they might, an un-
gentlemanlike business.
Of smaller and less violent exercises
we may mention ll-playing, which was
much recommended by Greek physicians.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

in the cut one of the wrestlers has his
leg twisted around the leg of his antago-
MIST and is forcing his right arm up.
The third event was the throwing of
the discus, piece Of iron or stone of
circular shape, but of the weight of which
we have no accurate means of judging
One specimen of discus has indeed been
found which weighs about four pounds
but we do not know whether it was in
tended for the use of boys, youths, or
men, by each of which three classes of
competitors discs of different weights
were employed. The attitude of discus
thrower is very clearly shown in tine
famous statue of which cut is given,
and every pose of which is enumerated
in passage of Status. describing con-
test of this kind. The distance to which
a discus was thrown is also doubtful,
though one author does mention throw
of 100 cubits $50 feet as a fine one.
Javelin- throwing was performed at first
with sharp-pointed spears, and was in
tended as preparation for actual war
fare, but in the latter times pointless
spears were used. For throwing at o
mark, however, it is probable that light
spears with points were employed. Disc
throwing thus tested strength and dis.
tance of throw, and javelin- throwing ac'
curacy of aim.
The leaping was probably what we now
call the hrond or lono hmm Cor uantioD
is MADE or a certain Pnay llus who jumped
beyond the dug ground" (Which was
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

less poetic name of chiffonSnes. A few
dresses for married ladies are made of
brocades and satin, but for young
women the embroidered isses and
tulles, or the spangled gauze, which
look as if they might have belonged to
the wardrobe of an Oriental princess,
are made into graceful dancing gowns
called Josephine dresses" with sim
pie, straight full skirts of gauze over
satin, and low, square-necked bodices,
which might have been modelled after
the familiar portraits of the beautiful
Empress.
The severe style of this dress, with
its high sash of soft surah, is consid-
cred especially suitable for debutsnte,
though in such case the square neck
is yelled with lace. There is a decided
objection among mothers to the adop-
ton of the extreme decollete styles
worn by the older women of society,
by girls in their first or second season.
In many cases the evening bodice for
young girls is merely pointed and
filled in with lace, while the sleeve :s
entirely omitted or is an elbow sleeve.
Other dresses for young ladies are
draped with figured net or gauze and
caught up with rosettes and garlands
of ribbons in the fiat effect now usu.
ally seen.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
THE GERMAN AND HIS CLOCK.

The story is told of German who took
the hands of his clock to the maker to have
them fixed, because they did not keep proper
time. OF course, the clock maker demanded
the tcorks, as in them lay the trouble. Boils
and blotches, pimples and other eruptions
on the exterior tell of a disordered condition
of the blood within. Be you man or woman
or aught else human, if you have these in
dications, be wise in time and take DR..
Pierce's Golden Medical Discovery. 1t puts
the liver and kidneys in good working order,
purifies the blood, cleanses the system from
all impurities from whatever cause arising,
and tones up the functions generally.
Golden Medical Discovery" checks the
frightful inroads of Scrofula, and, if taken
in time, arrests the march of Consumption
of the Lungs, which is Lung -scrofula, puri-
fies and enriches the blood, thereby curing
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

perhaps, in England, been somewhat ex.
aggerated. Boys have been more anxious
to be good oarsmen than good scholars,
and to play in the cricket eleven or win
the 10O-yal d race than to be Mt the head
of their class. The undue importance
attached to athletic prowess was doubt
less the result of reaction against the
almost complete absence of the means of
bodily training and exercise in the
schools of a century or two ago. But the
clear-sighted Greeks in this, as in SO
many other matters, drew distinctions of
which we in later days have somewhat
lost sight. Bodily exercises were classi-
fed by the Greeks in three groups: Gym
nastic, agnostic, and athletic.
OF all the public exhibitions of gym
nastic exercises in ancient Greece the
Olympic games were by far the most fam
Gus, and an account of them will serve
to explain the nature of Greek sports.
They were first established in the year 776
B. c., and were not finally discontinued
until about 400 A. d. They were held
once in every five years at Olympia, a
small town in the province of Ellis, on
the western coast of Morea. Men of dis
tinction termed hellenodike Judges of
the Hellenes or Greeks, clad in purple
robes, presided over the games. None
but free-born Greeks were allowed to offer
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
Tried and Not Found Wanting.

Attention is called to the wonderful safe
guard which is known to exist in the use of
"Dr. Tobias's Venetian Liniment. " especially
at this period when such alarm is felt from the
result of Pneumonia, Influenza, etc. Every
one should know of its value. Truly it can be
said of this peerless remedy that 1T has been
of forty years it has been warranted to give
perfect satisfaction or the money refunded,
yet a bottle has never been returned.
record indeed the proprietor may justly
be proud Of Certificates from time to time
are sent in grateful acknowledgement Of the
marvellous cures it has accomplished. One OF
of the Methodist Home New York city, says:
I'm my opinion there is nothing equal to DIR.
Tobias's Venetian Liniment for Rheumatism,
Bronchitis, Colds. in fact pains OF every de
scrip'ion it is the King. l consider no family
or stable safe without bottle of your invalu-
able remedies"
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

all Skin and Scalp Diseases, Ulcers, Sores,
Swellings, and kindred ailments. 1t is
powerfully tonic as well as Alternative, or
blood-cleansing, in its effects, hence it
strengthens the system and restores vitality,
thereby dispelling all those languid, tired
feelings" experienced by the debilitated.
Especially has it manifested its potency in
curing letter Salt-rheum, Eczema, Erysip-
elias, Boils, Carbuncles, Sore Eyes, Goitre,
or Thick Neck, and Enlarged Glands.
"Golden Medical Discovery is the only
blood and lung remedy, sold by druggists,
do all that it is claimed to accomplish,
or money paid for it will be promptly re-
funded. .
WORLDS DIsPENsARY MEDICAL AssoCIA.
TIoN, Manufacturers, No. 66S Main Street,
Buffalo, N. Y. 4
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
His Voice Charmed Her.

Joe Mix, the Burlington depot pas
senger caller, is noted for his sweet
toned voice and lamb-like disposition.
Among the passengers at the depot,
yesterday, was Miss Jennie Smith, the
railroad temperance evangelist. She
kept an eye on Joe, and noticed all hia
good traits, not mentioning his good
looks.
Presently the Eastern train was
about due and Joe, in his bland, urbane
manner, advanced to the center of the
room and in silver toned tenor voice,
sang out "All aboard for Plattsmouth,
Pacific Junction, Red Oak, Burlington,
Peoria, Chicago and all points east
Passengers will now pass out to the
cars and secure their seats, as the train
leaves IN fifteen minutes"
Joe started to retreat when Miss
Smith, in an enraptured tone, ap.
preached him and exclaimed: "Oh, you
dear, lovely man! What a lovely voice
you have to sing praises unto heaven
Won't you please come to my meetings
and sing for us?"
Joe is very bashful, but this fiatterv
was too much and he promised to 90. =
Railroad Gazette.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
The Editors Advice.

"Dear editor" wrote poet to we'll
known journalist, "please read with
care the accompanying, and give me
your unbiased opinion while l am still
in the mood to put more fire into the
poem"
"Dear poet" answered the editor,
"there is no occasion to put more fire
into the poem; all that is necessary is
to put the poem into the fire."
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
The Biggest Nugget of Gold.

The largest piece of gold ever taken
from the earth was discovered May 10,
1872, at Hill End, New South Wales, on
the claim of Boyer and Huffman. 1t
was an irregular shaped slab a feet 0
inches in length and feet inches in
width, with an average thickness of about
3inches. 1t weighed something over 600
pounds, and, although not virgin pure,
assayed $14S, 900. The most remarkable
part of the story is that the men who found
it did not have money enough to pay their
board bills the week before st. Louis
Republic.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13
A New Garment.

Mr.. Mushroom-Well, my dear, ]
suppose you have all the fixin's you
want to make a swell sensation at
the opry this week. paid a good many
hundreds for that there box and 1 want
to show up in good shape.
Mrs. Mushroom only think O one
thing. I'd like to wear one of thin new
wood mantels l see advertised think
they must be awfully swell.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

lurneo up WIN spade tnat the point
reached by the jumper might easily be
seen), clearing q distance of fifty feet.
This was probably standing jump, and
as the modern jumper can, with run,
clear only twenty or twenty-one feet, ii
is perfectly incredible. To assist them
in standing jumps, the Greeks carried in
their hands pieces of metal or dumb bells.
The five enumerated contests formed
the Pentathlum or fve-fold competition,
and the prize, according to one authority,
was awarded to him only who had been
victorious in ALL According to Mr.. Ma
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

PROF. HALE SHAW shows that the
whole face of nature would change if
friction were suddenly to cease. Fire
or warmth would be impossible, cloth
ing would fall off people or be resolved
into original elements, none would be
able to move by ordinary methods, to
guide their action, or if set in motion,
stop. The waters would cover the face
of lifeless world, and human bodies,
with all heavier substances, would soon
disappear forever.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

ridin in to lombar wargin an runnin
arfter the widder.
Sally an William Henery wus es spry
es you please, an he'd or 3 scrimages
afore we got sturted, sech es her put
tin salt in to his coffy, and him put
tin bugs ON to her, but thay want no
serus dammidge dun, so [ didn't say
nothin. When we sturted up agin the
widder sot with me, an she tole me
that the driver wus marryed man an
he'd IL Children, an ses she:
81 reckon that is why he is so tract
able" an I s'pose it air.
Well, long bout o'clock or nigh
thar we kim to reel purty-lookin lit
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-02-13

Col. Sapp of Nebraska was talking
with an Eastern gentleman, whom he
met in Washington the other day
Have you fertile soil in Nebraska" ?"
the Eastern gentleman asked.
"Fertilel" exclaimed Col. Sapp; 81
should say we had" And taking from
his pocket paper containing an &C.
count of the finding of 81, 900 in a box,
dug up on farm out there, he ex-
claimed again: "Fertilel Read that. !"
-Wdshinqtofl Post.