davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
CHAPTER III.
VARIOUS TERRoks OF THE sEAMEN

VARIOUS TERRoRS OF THE sEAMEN.
On the 18th of September the voyagers
were rejoiced by the sight of what they
considered harbingers of land. A heron
and tropical bird called the Rabo de
Junco, neither Of which are supposed to
venture far to sea, lowered about the
ships. On the following night they were
struck with awe at beholding a meteor,
or, as Columbus calls it in his journal, a
great fame of fire, which seemed to fall
from the sky into the sea about four or
i've leagues distant. These meteors
common in warm climates, and espe-
ciaily under the tropics. are always seen
in the serene azure sky of those lati-
tudes, falling as it were from the
heavens, but never beneath cloud. In
the transparent atmosphere of one Of
those beautiful nights, where every star
shines with the purest luster, they often
leave luminous train behind them
which lasts for twelve or fifteen seconds,
and may well be compared to flame.
The wind had hitherto been favorable,
with occasional though transient clouds
and showers They had made great
progress each day. though Columbus,
according to his secret plan, contrived
to suppress several leagues in the daily
reckoning left open to the crew.
They had now arrived within the in
fuence of the trade wind, which, follow
ing the sun, blows steadily from east to
west between the tropics and sweeps
over few adjoining degrees of ocean.
With this propitious breeze directly aft,
they were waited gently but speedily
over tranquil sea, SO that for many
days they did not shifta sail. Columbus
perpetually recurs to the bland and tenn
perate serenity of the weather, which in
this tract of the ocean is soft and re-
freshing without being cool In his art
less and expressive language he compares
the pure and ballny mornings to those of
April in Andalusia, and observes that
they wanted but the song of the night
ingale to complete the illusion. "He
had reason to say SO, y observes the vener-
able La Casas; "for it is marvellous the
suavity which we experience when half
way toward these Indies; and the more
the ships approach the lands, SO much
more do they perceive the temperance
and softness of the air, the clearness of
the sky and the amenity and fragrance
sent forth from the groves and forests;
much more certainly than in April in
Andalusia."
They now began to see large patches
OF herbs and weeds drifting from the
west, and increasing in quantity as they
advanced. Some Of these weeds were
such as grow about rocks, others such as
are produced in rivers; some were vel.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
rhe seenery Of Sew zealand.

1t was the variety of New Zealand
that struck me most. So far as scenery
is concerned, we get an approach to it
only by combining Switzerland, south
ern France, Norway and the Yellow
stone park-I might throw in the Tyrol
and north Italy-into one not very big
country. AS Switzerland is the point to
which tens of thousands of tired men
and women converge every summer. so
shall it be before long with New Zea-
land. What a godsend the sight Of it
must be to people who have lived on the
waterless plains of Australia, who have
beheld with straining eyes every blade
of grass burned down to the roots, and
their vast focks whitening away along
the line of march from one dried up
water hole to another.
Instead of low lying shores, the noble
line of the southern Alps, snowy ranges
and lofty peaks curtained with glaciers,
rising into the clear air from eight to
twelve thousand feet Instead Of
"bush'' without trees or melancholy
eucalypts, girdled,. ghostly, stretching
out skeleton branches, dense green for
estsi What playground for the squat
terl-G. n. Grant in Harper's.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
IRVING'S COLUMBUS.
The Great DISCOVERIES First
Voyage to America.

a Far More Wonderful Story Than
the Most Brilliant Imagination Has
Yet Conjnred, Told in the Words
of One of the Masters of Litera-
ture.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
HOW n1ntcI,ea were EIrs1 nrade.

It was in 1906 that the notion of chemi-
cal matches was first conceived. In that
year French professor introduced for
the purpose small bottle of asbestos,
saturated with strong sulphuric acid,
into which little sticks of wood, coated
with sulphur and tipped with mixture
of chlorate of potash and sugar, We're to
be introduced when light was wanted.
When the wooden splint thus prepared
was brought in contact with the acid in
the bottle ignition followed
In the same year matches tipped with
Jumps of phosphorus seem to have been
known, but they caught fire too readily
by spontaneous combustion to render
them very desirable for household use.
An improvement was introduced in 1923,
when equal parts of sulphur and phos-
phorus were melted together in a glass
tube, which was securely corked. When
a light was desired a small stick was
poked into the tube and a particle of the
mixture withdrawn on the end of it. On
exposure tothe air the substance caught
fire spontaneously -Washington Star.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
THE BIRTH OF A PRAYER.

About the church soft music flowed.
Fair voices borne on organ waves
With tinted light the dim aisles glcwe1,
Like caves that sunlit water lar1s,
The twelve Apostles carved in stone
Looked grimly down upon the nave,
Where faces chilly as their own
No sign of kindling fervor gave.
The music and the sunshine kept
The secret of their gladness well,
As DER our heavy souls they swept
The tale of empty praise to tell;
Nor ruby light, nor old gray walls,
Nor vested priest, nor music fair,
Nor the sweet holy hush that falls
Within a church, move hearts to pra.,er,
saw a gray old man bend down
His shaggy head, his furrowed face,
And, with a pleased and patient frown,
Help his wee lass to find the place;
The two heads bobbed about the page,
Roses and withered leaves at play;
One finger plump, ono crooked with age,
Picked verse by verse the doubtful way.
Great glasses, jigging to the lines,
Braced his dim eyes the words to trace.
While the small pouter watched the signs
OF hope or failure in his face;
The knotted finger stopped at last,
So did the plump one, with an air,
And up and down such looks were cast
That in my heart was born prayer.
John Reid in Good Words.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25

Yet Conjnred, Told in the Words
Of One of the Masters of Iitera-
ture.
Washington irving was perhaps the most
fascinating writer Of history the world has yet
produced. Among the most delightful Of his
works is ''The Life and Voyages of Columbus"
How the great explorer {born at Genoa in 1850
passed much of his boyhood and early man
hood on the sea: how. at thirty-hve, tall, well
formed, muscular and of an elevated and dig
nified demeanor," he went to Portugal and
married there; the submitting of his plans for
seeking new world to the Portuguese king:
that monarch's dishonorable conduct in hold
ing Columbus in suspense while he secretly
dispatched vessel on the proposed route to
discover If there was any foundation for his
theory; the return of the emissaries after few
days westward sailing over a stormy waste of
waters to ridicule the would be explorer and
his project-all these and many other incidents
connected with Columbus career previous to
his setting out on his first voyage are enter
tainingly givenin Book Of Irvings "Colum-
bus and His Voyages"
In Book ii is related the explorers efforts to
interest Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain in his
plans, and his succgSs, his preparations for his
voyage, the delays in securing volunteers, and
how. when nothing was being effected, Martin
A1onzo I'inzon and his brother. Vicente Yanez
Pinzon, navigators and owners of vessels.
stepped forward, furnished one of the vessels
needed, ana by their Influence secured the
completion of the outfit and the men required.
This book concludes with the hoisting of the
flag Of Admiral Christopher Columbus on the
largest of the three vessels composing his fleet,
the Santa Maria. The next largest vessel the
Pinta, was commanded by Martin Alonzo Pin
zon, accompanied by his brother. Francisco
Martin, as pilot; the third. the Nina. being un-
der Vicente YaEeZ Pinzon. One hundred and
twenty persons manned the fleet. On the Sd
of August, 1892, taking leave of the people OF
Palos, who looked upon the departure of their
friends with gonmy forebotiings, the three lit
tie vessels, no one of which WAS much larger
than q modern canal boat, spread their sails
to the breeze and departed for the unknown.
The narrative here following constitutes
Books Ill and ~ ndseven chaptersof Book v,
comprising g complete account OF Columbus
first voyage, the most important exploring ex-
pedition that ever sailed from any port. 1t il
given In Washington Irving's words without
change or elimination, and is q far more won
derful story than any the most brilliant imagi-
nation has ever yet conjurel-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25

part of the king of Portugal in revenge
for his having embarked in the service
of Spain; he therefore lost NO time in
putting to sea. anxious to get far from
those islands and out Of the track Of
navigation, trembling lest something
might occur to defeat his expedition
commenced under such inauspicious cir
cumStances.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25

Little Food for Babes in Hot Weather.
The digestive organs of babies are
never strong, and the heat weakens
them greatly. The influence alone is
quite active enough to cause severe at
tack of diarrhea, and every means
should be employed to protect them
from it. The need is obvious of ex-
treme caution in feeding babies in hot
weather; therefore some restrictions in
diet are imperative.
Not impossibly they would thrive as
well and enjoy much better health were
they given nearly one.third less food
during the hot than during the cold
months of the year. In one small insti-
tuition for babies directions were given
by the visiting physician to feed the lit
tie ones every three hours. The head
nurse misunderstood the order and fed
them three times day.
This rule was observed for two of the
hottest months. That season the insti-
tuition in question made wonderful
showing, having very little cholera in
fantum and a remarkably low death
rate. The officers marveled until they
learned of the nurses mistake in feeding.
Boston Herald
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
NO. 2.

informed him that, from the fight of q
great number of birds and from the ap-
pearance of the northern horizon, he
thought there was land in that direction.
There was in fact cloudiness in the
north such as often hangs over land,
and at sunset it assumed such shapes and
masses that many fancied they beheld
islands. There was a universal wish.
therefore, to steer for that quarter, Co
lumbus, however, was persuaded that
they were mere illusions Every one
who has made a sea voyage must have
witnessed the receptions caused by
clouds resting upon the horizon, es-
pecially about sunset and sunrise, which
the eye. assisted by the imagination and
desire, easily converts into the wished
for land. This is particularly the case
within the tropics, where the clouds at
sunset assume the most singular appear
ances.
{ On the following day there were driz-
zling showers, unaccompanied by wind,
which Columbus considered favorable
signs; two boobies also flew on board the
ships, birds which, he observed, seldom
fly twenty leagues from land. He
sounded, therefore, with a line of 200
fathoms, but found no bottom. He sup
posed he might be passing between is
lands lying to the north and south, but
was unwilling to waste the present ia
voring breeze by going in search Of
them; besides, he had confidently affirmed
that land was to be found by keeping
steadfastly to the west; his whole expe-
dition had been founded on such a pre-
sumption; he should, therefore, risk all
credit and authority with his people
were he to appear to doubt and waver
and to go cropping blindly from point to
point of the compass. He resolved, there
fore, to keep one bold course always
westward until he should reach the coast
of India, and afterward. if advisable, to
seek these islands on his return.
Notwithstanding his precaution to
keep the people ignorant of the distance
they had sailed, they were now growing
extremely uneasy at the length of the
voyage. They had advanced much far
ther west than ever man had sailed be-
fore, and though already beyond the
reach of succor, still they continued dali
ly leaving vast tracts of ocean behind
them and pressing onward and onward
into that apparently boundless abyss. It
is true they had been dattered by vari-
GUS indications of land and still others
We're occurring, but all Knocked them
with vain hopes; after being hailed with
transient joy they passed away, one
after another, and the same intermina-
BILE expanse of sea and sky continued to
extend before them. Even the bland and
gentle breeze, uniformly aft, was now
conjured by their ingenious fears into
cause of alarm; for they began to imag-
inc that the wind i'm these seas might al
ways prevail from the east, and if SO.
would never permit their return to
Spain.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-25
[ro BE coNTrNEup.l
lAo De SoctINEUD.I
The Marvellous Power of Tree Growt,

Ihe Marvellous Power of Tree Growth.
Washington and Independence squares
give illustrations of the wonderful power
of tree growth. In 1888 the commits
sioner of city property took up with the
good idea of naming the trees. 1t was
shown that the growth of the trees would
either force the labels from their staples
or else cause them to stand out in a hori-
zontal line. The commissioner at once
had the staples drawn, but for all this in
some cases the labels have been torn
from their hinges, while others stand
out from the trunks as if they were in
tended as platforms for birds to rest on.
The soft cells, as soft and tender as
mushroom when growing, have yet
power enough with ease to lift these
metallic plates by the edge and force
them into horizontal position. Any
one could lift one of these to such posi-
tion if the finger could be gotten for a
half inch under the plate, but imagine
the force which sort of yeast like sub
stance must possess, which, getting un-
der but perhaps the sixteenth OF eighth
of an inch, can yet elevate the plate to q
perfectly horizontal line!-Thomas Nee
han in Philadelphia Ledger.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26

Land and improvement Company, con-
tanning 1919 acres, more or less, and be-
ing the same tract of land conveyed to
the said Unaka Land and Mining Com
pany by said James B. Miller and
Thomas G. Blair by deed dated the LIST
day of January, 1891, upon the follow
ing tsrns: For cash in hand sufficient
to pay off and discharge the two notes
above described, with the accrued inter-
est thereon, and the costs attending the
execution Of this trust, and as to the
residue credit Of 6, II and Is months
will be given. The purchaser will be
required to execute notes with good
, personal security for the deferred pay
ments. The purchaser at this sale shall
take title absolute, the right to redeem
the said land, either in law or equity,
having been waived according TO the
statute in such cases made and provided.
This is oae of the finest mineral prop
critics in East Tennessee, and is admira-
bly, located ON the c., G. and G. R. r.
The iron ores on the said property have
been sufficiently developed to show
large deposits of iron ore Of the best
quality, and within a short distance of
said railroad. Any person desiring to
examine said property or learn more
particularly its character, will please
communicate with the undersigned, who
will take pleasure in going over the
property with any person desiring to ex-
anime the same with a view Of purch-
asing.
The title to said property is unques.
tionably good, and aside from said deed
of trust, is wholly unincumbered.
Correspondence in reference to said
property is respectfully solicited.
J. E. MOORE, Trustee.
396-4t Pulaski, Va
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
LEGAL NOTICE.

By virtue Of Deed of Trust executed
to me as Trustee by the Unaka Land
and Mining Company, dated the 18th
day Of May, 1891, to secure to James R.
Miller and Thomas G. Blair the pay
ment of two notes dated respectively
the 18th day of May, 1891, both Of said
notes for the sum of $44, 395, each bear
ing interest at the rate Of 6 per cent per
annum from the date, and both Of said
notes becoming due and payable upon
the first day Of November, 1891, and
default having been made in the pay
ment Of said notes, and the said James
R. Miller and Thomas G. Blair having in
writing required me to execute said
trust, | will sell at public auction to the
highest bidder upon the premises,
On the 22d Day Of December, 1891,
at neon on said day, the following de-
scribed property, to-wit: That certain
tract of land lying and being in the
county of Unicoi, and State of Tennes
see, situate about ten miles south of
johnson City, being on both sides of the
Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Rail
road, adjoining the lands of the Unicoi
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
Routes Rheumatism.

Mr. Charles Lawrence, of Ashland
Nebraska, desires that sufferers from
rheumatism should know his exper-
fence with S. S. S., and writes under
date of July 27, 1891, that he was a
great sufferer from acute rheumatism
for more than six months. He had
quite a number OF physicians to treat
him, and also took other medicines,
without my permanent benefit. A
friend told him to try s. $. s. He did
so, and used only for bottles, which
cured him sound and we'll. He recon
mends it to all who suffer from rheu.
matism. Rheumatism has been con-
coded to be trouble in the blood, and
we have numbers of reports from the
most reliable people in the country
that it has cured the most aggravated
cases. We certainly recommend every
sufferer to send for our treatise on
blood and skin disease, which will be
mailed free. Address, Swift's Specific
Co., Atlanta, Ga.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26

miles south of johnson City, embracing
the town site laid out for the town of
Unicoi, which has been partially laid
out, and being the same tract Of land
conveyed to said company by james R,
Miller and Thomas G. Blair, by deed
bearing date October 81, 1890, upon the
following terms, to-wit For cash in
hand sufficient to pay off and discharge
the above described notes, and the in
terest which may have accrued Cd said
notes, and the cost of executing this
trust, and as to the residue credit of 8,
II and Is months will be given the pur-
chaser. The purchaser will be required
to execute his notes with good personal
security for the deferred payments.
The title to this property is clear and
unincumbered, except as to this Deed OF
Trust, and the purchaser at this sale will
take title absolute, the right to redeem
the said property, either in law or equi-
ty, having been waived and barred &C
cording to the statute in such case made
and provided.
This is a beautifully lying tract Of
land, situate in the midst of one of the
finest mineral sections of East Tennes-
see; fine stream of water, furnishing
ample and abundant facilities for water
ing and draining the town, flows through
the midst of it. AS site for manu-
featuring town no spot in East Tennes
see is more admirably or desirably 10
Gated
For more particular description o.
for personal inspection and investiga
ton Of the land, please write to or 9th
erwise communicate with the under
signed, who will take pleasure in show
ing prospective purchasers over thu
property or communicate to them an.
information in reference thereto tina
may be desired.
J. E. MOORE, Trustee.
1896 At Pulaski, Va
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
LEGAL NOTICE.

By virtue Of Deed of Trust execute d
to me as Trustee by the Unicoi Land
and Improvement Company, on the 18th
day of May, 1891, to secure to James R.
Miller and Thomas G. Blair two notes
for the sum of $36,76S each, both notes
bearing date the 18th day Of May, 1891,
and falling due on the LIST day of No
vember, 1891, beth of which said notes
are signed by said Company by w. G.
Mcintyre, Treasurer, and approved by
A. B. Harris, President. and made pay
able to said James R. Miller and Thorn
as G. Blair, and bearing interest from
date at the rate of 6 per cent per an
mum, and default having been made in
the payment of said notes, and the said
James R. Miller and Thomas G. Blair
having in writing required me to execute
the said trust, | will sell at public auc-
ton, to the highest bidder upon the
premises,
On the 22d Day Of December, 1891,
at noon of said day, the following valu-
able real estate, viz: All that certain
tract of land lying and being in the
County Of Unicoi and State Of Tennes-
see, situate on the line Of the Charles
ton, Cincinnati ard Chicago Railroad,
containing l42l acres, lying about ten
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
YALE vs.. HARVARD.
The Annual Foot Ball Game is Over,
Yale Carries off the Laurels.

The great animal foot ball game be-
tween the teams Of Yale and Har-
ward came off last Saturday. The
game had been looked forward to with
interest, as deciding the championship
for hard kicking between two of the
mightiest rivals in the nation. Yale
is decidedly champion, having won by
a score of ten to nothing. Poor Har-
ward it would not speak so unfavorble
for IF she were only advanced in
those things for which schools are in
stituted but custom has made foot
ball paramount, and books are only
passtime between games, so when one
of the teams has lost in a game it has
lost all, and there's no hope except to
struggle up by the same old path. Har-
ward and Yale, it seems, are no longer
noted, generally speaking, for their
high standard of instruction. A gem
tleman writing in the North Ameri-
can Review some time ago showed
very distinctly that the tendency is
anything but gratifying. The fault to
be found is with certain class OF men
who go there not to study, but to gam
BILE and buy their way through, as it
were, with there fathers money. These
sports Of the colleges become SO alb
sorbing that they claim all attention.
The students grow wild, and forget
ting all else, enter the game, many OF
them, TO become cripples for life,
In the termination of the game Sat
urday there is one feature that does
the Yale freshman good, soul and
body. On the campus of Yale college
is fence beneath beautiful shade
trees where part Of the students are
permitted to sit and crack their Jokes
A freshman is never allowed on this
fence until he has been in the team
which has defeated Harvard either in
. game OF base ball or foot ball. If hi
is forever unsuccessful he remains for
ever off the fence, and can never en-
Joy the social pleasure which comes tC
those who were successful in former
years,
If Harvard has such fence, the
poor freshman of her team is down il
the mouth, and may remain ostra
cized for many and many a day
There is no mercy for him; nothing
short OF his own efforts will bring hin
social honor,
For pugilistic and foot ball idea
there is no set of men ahead Of tn
Yale :and Hazard graduates; AM
while some of them may. becom
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26

learned in the sciences and in practi-
cal business knowledge, it would be an
unsafe thing to approach class from
either college on anything outside of
the limited category of their brutal
sports.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26
MRS. LLOYD'S
School Of Stenography and Typewriting,

This School has general Stenographic Collegiate
office attached in which pupils obtain practical and
thorough knowledge of Business Forms and Office
Work. an advantage over any other Class School in
the city The PERRIN (penciD system, the one taught
owing to simplicity and legbiity enables pupils to be
fitted for practical work in from two tofour months time
Rooms 90 and At, Deaderck Building,
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1891-11-26

South Dakota railroads can not han,
die the grain brought to them for
shipment.