davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
WORKING IN HIS SLEEP,
A Popularity of the Late United
States Senator Beck.

at was overwork that had much to do
with Senator Beck's death, says writer
in the New York World. 'His mind
was the best example of perpetual motion
that ever had place inside a human
skull. 1t worked even in his sleep; and
one day when the subject of brain-work
was being discussed by party of sena-
tors in one of the cloak-rooms Senator
Beck is said to have told the following
story concerning peouliarity of his brain
which he said he believed had done him
a great deal of harm during his life. He
said:
81 first noticed it when / was a boy
going to school in Scotland. l had
strict old preacher for tutor, and, with
a number of other boys, went to the par
sonage to be educated. One night l was
very sleepy and still had long Latin les
son to get off tried hard to learn it,
but before was aware of it was doz-
ing. At length l read the lesson through
in half dreaming condition, and, with
the Latin all in jumble in my head, l
went to sleep. l awoke the next morn
ing with my head perfectly clear, and,
strange to say, all the antiquities in my
difficult lesson were made plain, and
read the lesson without balk. The
same thing happened second time, and
again found that when went to sleep
with a confused idea of my lesson, learn
ing it while half doing, l awoke with
all the knotty points unravelled. 1t be.
came my custom after that to read my
tasks over just before going to bed, and
/ never failed to have them in the morn
ing. My strict old tutor saw that never
studied, and he thought one of the other
boys must be helping me. At length he
gave me page of Livy to translate and
told me if did not have it for him the
next morning he would fog me. He
then forbade any of the boys to go near
me, and watched my actions. l read the
lines as usual that night before went to
sleep, and the next day had them as pat
as you please. He never bothered me
after that. Well the year passed and !
found my faculty still clinging to me till
began to put too much faith In II and
depended almost entirely on my mysts-
rious helper. l found it grow weaker as
l grew older, and, though l have such
spells sometimes now, they are not fire.
quent. While in them seem to see the
lines and words of the subject l am stud
ying before my minds eye, and without
knowing the process, l work out the
problem. remember that phrenolo-
gist examined the heads of my family
some time ago, and they then wanted ms
to have my head put in his hands. Fin.
ally, more to oblige them than anything
else, 1 consented. The man said ht
would examine my head and give me q
chart of it for So, or he would tell me my
main characteristics for $8. l told hin
50 worth was enough. He then felt al
over my Uranium and said that would
have made good spiritual medium, and
he told me that my mind was capable OF
working separate from my body, and that
l solved problems in my sleep. l gave
the man So for his knowledge, and have
had more faith in phrenology since then
than ever before"
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
Monkey and Bulldog.

Some species of the monkey family are
held sacred by the Hindoos, with the
result that the naturally mischievous
animals become extremely familiar-so
familiar, indeed, as to be really nuis-
ance, at least in the eyes of European
residents. The author of "Thirty- Eight
Years in India" gives an amusing account
of an experience of his dog with one of
these sacred mischief-makers:
"The monkey took up his position
day after day on the lower branch of a
large mango tree, and there he remained,
indifferent to all threats and intimida-
ton; and this led to delicious result.
81 have already mentioned Toby, my
unparalleled bulldog. When the nuis-
ance of these sacred monkeys began to be
annoying, Toby interested himself in
making occasional raids upon the in
truders, but with little effect, and he
seemed quite distressed by his failures.
cone day l was standing with the dog
by my side when he observed our defiant
old friend take his seat as usual on the
branch. As he allowed his tail to hang
down it struck me, and verify believe
it struck Toby also, that, although his
body was out of reach, his tail might be
grabbed.
II spoke in a low tone to Toby; he
seemed to understand, crouched, and
very gradually approached the tree.
The monkey remained immovable and
apparently unconcerned, and the tail
continued to hang temptingly down.
Suddenly Toby made a rush for the
tail. Everything bespoke a triumph
long delayed
"Alas! alas The venerable monkey
never moved, but as Toby's open mouth
turned upward to seize at least the tail,
he quietly, but at the proper moment,
lifted it up with his left hand, as a
gentleman would raise his coat-tail to
enjoy the fire, and, STOPPING slightly for
ward, gave Toby pleasant box on the
ear with his right hand, looking at him
as he passed with calm and satirical in
difference.
''More amusing still was the fact that
after this rehearsal the experiment was
repeated more than once. l can still
wildly recall the calm, philosophical
indifference of the monkey, the calcu-
lating advance of the impassioned and
yet bafflcd Toby, the repeated rush, the
quiet elevation of the tail, and the in
sulting pat on the gasping cheek"
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
AMAZoNs IN ACTION.
The Story of Fight With Female
Warriors in Dahomey.

A firm of Rouen, France, has received
from traveller, who is actually at hot-
onon, letter, containing the following
particulars about the attack by the Daho-
mians:
During the last few days there had been
about fifteen sharpshooters wounded.
Something was expected, but gradually
the watchfulness had become rather weak.
The consequence was that the sentinels
were fast asleep at $50 in the morning
when the Dahomians advanced in snake
like glidings. They surprised the senti-
nels and cut off their heads. In the same
manner the watchman of the battery was
butchered The artillery quartermaster
endeavored to defend himself, but an
Amazon, fine girl of is, stabbed him
with poniard and cut his throat. The
same fate happened to brigadier, and
also to q non commissioned officer of ar
tillery.
Meanwhile the alarm had been given
The Senegalese rifemen arrived on the
run and swept off the first ranks of the
Dahomians. The bold young Amazon was
caught, thrown to the ground, and her
neck cut. At the same moment Governor
Boyatt signaled to the gunboat at anchor
off the battlefield. Immediately hail
storm of bombs and Hotchkiss balls
rained over the Dahomians, and caused
them to take fight to the underbrush,
leaving from 500 to 800 of their people on
the ground.
The amazons still constitute the best part
of the Dahomian army. This corps of about
$500 women is mainly recruited from
young girls of the best families in Daho-
mey, designated by the caprice OF the
King for military service. They live in
barracks like regular soldiers.
One company of the amazon regiment
bears the name of ''razor virgins" because
they are armed with razors five feet long,
which are terrible weapons in African
fights, and are used in time of peace to
decapitate men sentenced to death by the
Dahomian King, who also uses his anna
IONS as public executioners. Another
company is named "the big muskets, :"
each woman soldier being accompanied
by slave, who carries heavy flint-lock.
The ''sure to killn company is formed of
the best sharpshooters. There are also
"carbiners" and "bayonet" companies
The 'arrowbearcrs" is composed of girls
too young yet for actual fighting, but
who are employed as accommodating par
ties and in the ambulance corps. The Eel
ephant" company is not destined for the
battlefield, but for hunting elephants and
procuring ivory for the royal treasury.
The most daring, agile and athletic girls
are admitted into this company, which
might be called the civil or private SER
vice of King Kondo.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

A quaint story is told about Master
Tommy Anderson, an old-time peda-
gogue. Once he taught school in
Farmington, where the boys had driven
out several teachers. He found that
the chief conspirator was cookbook
ing grown-up girl, saucy and proud.
The schoolmaster wore his hair in a
cue, as was the fashion in those days.
When he was doing sum-" with his
head down, she tossed his cue back
and forth as if it were toy, much to
the amusement of the scholars. Uncle
Tommy said nothing but kept up quite
a thinking. He knew if he called out
the guilty girl and punished her, the
big boys would rise and carry him out.
So he adopted unusual tactics in con-
Quoting his campaign. He found lot
Of long hair hanging up in barn.
From this he selected and smoothed
out bunch resembling a cue, and
tied it up nicely with ribbon. Taking
this to the school-room early the next
morning, he suspended it from the
peg where the girl always hung her
cloak and hood; then he commenced to
set copies as usual. When she came
in and spied the curious continuance
she looked surprised and puzzled.
Quoth Master Tommy, in mild tone
of voice:
Miss, have brought that bunch
of hair for you to use as plaything
instead of my cue."
The proud-spirited girl was humilia-
ted before the whole school, and could
not help crying. Uncle Tommy had
won the victory by stratagem rather
than by force of arms, and had no fur
ther difficulty with his scholars
Farmin0ton (Me) Chronicle.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
Horseshoes for Luck.

"Never take the horseshoe from the
door" is the advice given in recently
popular song, which precept is followed
3y the injunction that while there the
bit of iron will surely bring good luck.
Be this as it may, there are certainly
many thousands of people who to-day,
while perhaps not superstitious in other
things, are either believers in the adage,
or else, for the sake of effect, in orna-
mentation employ the horseshoe as an
emblem of good luck by giving it a
prominent place in the household decora-
ton. The great fad is to pick up
horseshoe in the street, and he who is
thus fortunate" is supposed, according
to superstition, to secure extraordinary
luck as long as the shoe remains in his
possession. But all are not thus favored ;
and in order to secure shoe visit to
the blacksmith or junkman is found to be
necessary, making it especially profitable
to the latter. A visit paid to junk shop
at the West End few days ago showed
to what an extent this craze has reached.
Among the odds and ends there classified
were exhibited some hundreds of horse
shoes in various conditions.
In reply as to the final disposition of
the shoes the junlsman said: ~ am not
in the habit of selling them to black
smiths or foundries, for the reason that
can make more profit in selling them to
private parties for the purposes of orna-
mentation. In that pile there are many
shoes almost new. They are brought to
me by boys who pick them up in the
street, by my collectors and others. l
sort them over and get, on an average,
10 cents apiece for them, according to
the shoe. Who buys them2 Why, from
the number of people who have patron
lied me should say almost everybody,
One man to whom / sold shoe keeps it
in his money drawer and says that it has
that his own strict habits have had some-
thing to do with it. 1t is funny how a
superstition will take hold of people.
Rich as well as poor are believers in the
horseshoe. Go into the home of the
former and you will find the horseshoe in
its place over the door, handsomely
gilded or other otherwise ornamented,
while visit to the latter will find the
shoe over the door, but in the same con-
dition rs when purchased. Another
thing about the horseshoe, according to
tradition, the shoe must be hung with
the open side up, so that luck will fall
into it from above and find a safe resting
place. Should the shoe be hung open
side down, it will not catch luck as it
falls. So it goes, my particular luck in
the possession of so many being the
handsome profit which I derive. I
know of former 'old maid who had
waited long and patiently for a husband,
but, up to certain point, without sue
cess. She bought shoe one day, hung
it over her door, and to-day Is wife.
Have shoel" said the junkman as the
writer turned to go. Thanks" was
the reply, ~ have two hung up at home. :"
Il Boston Herald.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
A HOmeIy Virtue.

Cora, when she married Frank Boyce.
was earnest in her anxiety to please
the family, and to win their love She
was an orphan and alone. His mother,
she felt, must love h or as O child, and
his sisters take her in as one of them
selves, or she would not be happy.
She bought her gowns of the color
which Frank said they preferred; she
practiced her songs with fresh zeal
upon hearing they were fond of music.
She was an affectionate, generous girl,
and eager for love.
But when the wedding was over, and
Frank and his wife arrived at his
mothers house, there was look of dis
may in the eyes of her new relatives
which they could not conceal.
They tried to meet her appealing
glances with a cordial welcome, but
they could not be blind to the tear in her
dress which was pinned together, or to
the grease spots on her elegant cloak.
When she came down that evening
in her bridal dress to meet their friends,
her face was bedaubed with white pow
der, and the skirts that peeped from
beneath the satin gown were soiled.
Cora Boyce never overcame the un-
tidy habits of her youth. All her warm
affections, her beauty, her gay wit,
could not win the respect of her new
kinsfolk for woman who came to
breakfast in curl-papers and a dirty
wrapper. Her husband, who had seen
her before marriage only in the draw
ing-room, was shocked, distressed, and
at last out of patience with her sloven-
liness.
She is an old woman now, and has
married children, but she never has
been able to understand why the love
which she has given SO generously to
those dear to her never has been repaid
in kind, nor why her children are
ashamed when she meets their friends.
She has undoubtedly made many
efforts to change her personal habits
in this regard, but such habits, when
once firmly established by an untidy
childhood and youth, are almost incur
able in manhood and womanhood.
She does not know, perhaps even
now, that she lacks that homely quail
ity of which Strebling says, at is
necessary virtue, the presence of which
we do not notice in q woman, though
its absence drives us mad"
Cleanliness assuredly comes next to
godliness in winning respect for man
Or woman.
The memory of good Sir Walter is
more sweet and wholesome in the
hearts of all men when they read of his
scrupulous personal nicely, and who
does not love Charles Lamb better for
hearing that he ALWAYS looked as if he
had just come from the bath?"-
Youths Companion.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
Drinkers of Alcohol.

Did you ever see an alcohol drinkerl
Not man who drinks whiskey with al
cohol in its makeup, but Il man who
drinks the straight fluid without drop
of water to cool his case-hardened throat.
There are men in Kansas City who drink
pure alcohol every day of their lives.
They reach trembling hand for it when
they open their eyes in the morning, and
the last gulp at night carried to fiery
stomach more fuel. These characters are
few As compared with the whiskey
drinker the man who drinks alcohol is
something awful. 1t does not matter if
the whiskey drinker indulges to excess
let him be the worst sot upon the earth
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

the old boat had been torn away and tho
cattle were without shelter. The agent
was not ready to receive them. Four
o'clock came, and and @, and still he
was not ready. Darkness set in, and the
poor, shivering brutes continued to stand
there in the pitiless storm. At half-past
0 the great man gave permission for the
cattle to be driven on board. The drive
was torture. The gangway, owing to
the difference in the level of the decks,
was steep and the rain had made it slip
perry, but after much belaboring and
prodding, and with many fall and slip
and scpmble, the miserable creatures
were forced to ascend it to their prison.
/ New York Tribune.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
Happy Men.

The old Persians, who had many authors
of singular penetration, gave the world
the following proverbs
"There are two men in the world who
are perfectly happy; two men who's
minds may be at rest. The first is the
wholly ignorant man, who is happy
because he thinks that he knows every
thing.
"The second is the really learned man,
who is happy because he knows that
there will always be something for him
to learn"
This proverb suggests certain maxims
which were the favorites of Massachus-
etts clergyman, now dead, and which
were as follows:
"When man knows not and knows
not that he knows not, he is fool; sllun
him.
''When man knows not and knows
that he knows not, he is simple; teach
him.
"When man knows and knows not
that he knows, he is asleep; wake him.
when man knows and knows that
he knows, he is wise; follow him."
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
CATTLE STEAMERS.
Tribulatlons of the Sailors-Cruel
Treatment of Cattle.

The wretched sailors on board the aver
age cattle steamer suffer but little less
than the brutes that incumber the decks,
and on many vessels it is impossible to
persuade the same crew to ship a second
time. A tramp steamer in the business is
q hell upon the water. Not only does
overlooking endanger the ship by making
her top heavy and unmanageable, but it
SO blocks and obstructs the deck that the
crew are unable to attend properly to their
duties. So greedy are the agents in their
desire to increase the carrying capacity
of their vessels that they have been known
to raise the lifeboats high above the deck
and build stables beneath them. In such
a case what would become of crew if it
should be necessary to abandon the ship
hurriedly2
1t is said that the captains are opposed
to these risks, but the companies keep
them in subsection with threats ofinstant
dismissal if they refuse to obey orders.
Common sailors can say nothing. Theirs
is dogs lot. Once signed, they are at
the mercy of their employer.
1t would fill you with pity, Indignation,
shame, to see the loading of cargo of
cattle. Most of the contracts between
shippers and steamship companies pro-
vide that the loading shall be done be-
tween sunrise and sunset, but the agree
ment is broken nearly every day by one
company or another. Recently vessel
was lying at Brooklyn, where she had
been taking on general cargo, flour,
grain, cotton, etc. At o'clock p. m.
the agent sent word to the shipper that he
was ready for his deckload of cattle.
The day was cold and stormy. At 3
o'clock an old ferry boat, with 175 cattle
on board, left the Communipaw Stock
Yards, and half an hour later lay alongside
the steamer The rain came down in tor
rents. cold stingino rain. The hoods OF
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
Feathered Pirates,

A pair of robins, as has been their
custom for several years past, recently
commenced building their summer home
in an elm tree on the sidewalk in front Oh
my house, and the work went bravely
on, with song and rapid flutter Of wings
Suddenly the songs ceased and work on
the nest stopped. But it was not left
alone, for band of miserable sparrows
attacked it, and, if possible, were more
active in its destruction than the robins
had been in its construction.
A few days later the robins began an
other nest in tall maple tree near b3,
and the work was pushed rapidly. But
Il few days since it was evident that some
thing was wrong again. There was a
great outcry on the part of the robins,
and an unmusical chatter by pugnaciouss
spanows. The latter were again victor.
ious, and at once proceeded to demolish
the nearly finished nest, which work they
soon completed, strings, grass. feathers,
etc, being scattered promiscuously
about. This was not all, nor the worst
for the male robin was seen hanging bt
a cord fastened to its neck and one wing.
dead, and not ten feet from the place
where the nest had been. The sight at.
tracted the attention of passcrs by, but II
was so high that none cared to ascend
the tree to get the bird.
Being anxious to know the facts as to
the reason of the birds death, spliced
my stiff trolling rod, with knife at,
tached to tho tip, to long pike pole, and
with the help of Il ladder and the assist.
auce of neighbor l succeeded in outttna
the string above the bird.
An examination showed that a strinu.
common wrapping twine was passSd
through the wing quilts, around th{
neck, and knotted so tightly that consid.
cradle patience was required to remove
it, so that death must have bsen sooh
effected.
The male being dead and the nest de.
stroyed, the female has departed go that
we are no longer favored with their sweet
morning and evening songs.
The question now Is: "Who killed
cock robinf' Was it suicide from re.
peated defeats, or was he acoidently
caught in the stringl Or was 1t pre-,
meditated murder on the part of piratica,
sparrows7- Forest and Stream.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
now TO ynOOse II mover.

"I spent whole hour to-day at the
Public Library trying to choose
novel. It's such nuisance"
"Oh, think it easy enough. just
look at the last chapter. If I find
rain softly and sadly dropping over one
or two lonely graves, l don't take it,
but if the morning sun is glimmering
over bridal robes of white satin, 1 get
it marked at once" ."-Toronto Grip.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22
To Dispel Colds,

Headaches and Fevers, to cleanse the system
effectually, yet gently, when costiveor bilious,
or when the blood is impure or sluggish, to
permanently cure habitual constipation, to
awaken the kidneys and liver to healthy ac-
tivity, without irritating or weakening them,
use Syrup Of Figs.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

The present is the time in which to live and
to work. he past is recollection and the
future phantasy.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

PEOPLE living IN the southern part of
the county, near San Andreas station, on
the railroad to Wstsonville, CAL, were
astounded one day recently by shower
of worms during light rain. The worms
resembled grub worms, and were about
an inch and half long, white in color,
and had red eyes. None who found them
ever saw the Ike bef0e.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

FITS stopped free by Dr. KLINE's GREAT
NERVE RRsToRRR No Fits after first days
use. Marvellous cures. Treatise and & trial
bottle free, DIR. Kline, g3l Arch St., Phila., IA
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

DIR. Tobias's Venetian Horse Imminent.
This invaluable remedy has only to be used
to be appreciated.
1t is warranted superior to any other article.
or no pay.
In pint bottles at 90 cents
For the cure of lameness, sprains gals.
slipping, stihe scratches cuts. bruises. over
heating, wind gals, splints, collie, sore
throat, t. nail IN the foot, eto,, & etc. ouo,
that this Liniment will do all and more than
is stated in curing the above named COM
plants.
Upwards of forty years 1t has never failed
to give perfect satisfaction In o single in
stance.
Try 1t and be convinced.
II your druggist or store-keeper does not
keep our goods, send to Us and we will forward
promptly.
Depot 10 Murray St.. New York.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

Let us be cont mt in work to do the thing
we can, sni not presume to fret because It's
little. Il.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

The construction of tunuelaround Niagara
Falls, to utilize its water power, is soon to be
carried out
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

If afflicted with sore eyes use DIR. Isaac
Thompson's Eye Water. Druggists sell 25c.
per bottle.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

The population Of Brooklyn is estimated al
959, ,6i2, an increase of 2S2, ,923, or very nearly
80 per cent. since 1880.
Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-05-22

N } man is born into this world whose work
ia not born with him.