davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
A SnObbisl, Custom.

The tawdry fashion Of giving woman her
husbands title has spread from Washing
ton to Tombstone. It has changed our
pride into vanity, and shriveled up cour-
tesy while trying to expand it. The papers
are to blame for some of this, because the
bribe of a chicken bone will turn 'our
special reporter" into n jenkins in yellow
plush livery, and with footman's rapture
he will tell us that Mrs. Commissioner
Bggs gave brilliant reception last even
ing, at which we noticed Mrs. Gen. Diggs
and the charming Mrs. Alderman Figgs,
accompanied by her beautiful daughter,
Mrs Senator Jiggs, who kept up II lively
conversation with Mrs. Representative
Riggs" and so down to the bottom Of the
stairs.
The people who pay these batteries are
snobs, and so are the people who accept
them. Trades, as we'll as offices, are titles
now. once had the honor Of an intro.
duction to a lady who promenaded through
society" as Mrs. Conductor Gaines; her
husband was conductor on the railroad.
A few days ago II newspaper, telling about
the burning Of a building in Chicago, said
that Elevator Operator Gibbs" first not
iced the smoke. There was the stately
title given to the boy who run the Gift"
More eXtrayagant than even that was the
grim and gloomy title given to "Death
Watch Osborn" a man whose duty it was
to sit up with a convict sentenced to be
hanged In comforting this title we
touched bottom, and this justilies the hope
that a reaction will set in toward a sim
plicity of manners and address worthy OF
n sensible people.-I. NJ. Trumbull in
Open Court.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Peanuts and the MelOdrama.

Ihave sometimes thought that the de.
cline of the mclodrama here in Boston has
been due to the diminished influence of the
peanut in theatrical affairs. There was
certain inspiring influence exacted by this
edible which is wanting in the demonstra.
tions of the theatre goers of today. 1t in.
duced contemplative attitude which was
favorable to the success of plays in which
the moral sentiments were appealed to to
counteract the effect of the situations.
The dropping of peanut shells accentuated,
SO to speak, the applause which followed
the mouthng of unexceptionable bits OF
morality that served as Il makeweight for
actions which had decidedly vicious if
not criminal tendency.
One misses in the gallerics-the pit, alas!
has vanished from our theatres-the class
of patrons that gave peculiar zcst to the
mclodrama, which was coincidcnt with the
reign of the peanut. There was certain
affinity between these old time theatre
gocrS and the plays which were provided
for their delectation that accounted for the
success of n sort of drama that it would
be impossible to revive today. The do
lightful unconSciouSncss of conventional
propricty which was indicated by the con-
sumption of peanuts and the dispersion of
their shells within the dramatic temple
was matched by the conliding reliance by
theatrical managers upon vivid sentiments
and vigorous action, instead OF upon SEN
sat ional mechanical effects, to win the ia.
yor of an audience Boston Post,
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
HI,nlnS.

For n long time it was supposed that the
relative weight of the brain us compared
with the body was greater in man than in
any of the lower animals, but, alas! for
poor human nature, it is now known that
some Of the smaller South American mon
keys have, proportionally, larger share
of brain than our noble selves. On the
other hand, however, man carries more
weight in his craniuM than any other
breat hing creature except the elephant
and the whale.
As rule the human brain increases in
Rravity-specilic gravity, OF course-up to
the 3Oth or 21st year. and after the "age of
discretion" till the 10th year usually re-
mains in statu quo. After 40 the organ in
most cases begins to wilt. 1t continues to
decrease in volume more rapidly rs we
grow older, and in those who are unhappy
enough to reach the seventh stage of sec
ond childishness and mere oblivion" there
is nothing left of it worth mentioning.
As proof that the weight of the en-
cephalic mass determines to considerable
extent the amount of intellectual power
it may he stated that when the former is
less than thirty-tWO ounces-forty-nine
ounces for the male and forty-four for the
female brain are the average--idiocy or
partial imbecility invariably accompanies
the defect. The heaviest brain on record
is that of Cuyier, the great naturalist,
which weighed sixty-four ounccs.-New
York Ledger.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Church Directory.

Reformed Churcl-Rev. G.. A, WhitmoIc
ras or. Weekly Lectures Tuesday evening.
Meeting of Ladies' Aid Society every second
Wednesday evening. Regular services by
appointment from tho pulpit
Lutheran Chuwh-Rev J. II. Barb, pas
tor. Services Sunday 10 a. NJ. and $50 +.
NJ. Sunday School, 9 p NJ. Prayer Meet
ing, Wednesday, Gas =. NJ.
Moravian Church, (Mcchanicstown) Rev.
r. w. Hcrbst Pastor. Preaching every Sun
;ay, alternating morning and evening"
Prayer Meeting every Friday evening Sun
day School 8 o'clock, a. IN.
Mcravlan Church \Graceham) Rev. r. W.
Ilcrbst, Pastor.
Preaching every Sunday, alternating NOR
ming and evening.
Mite Society every Monday evening.
Prayer Meeting every Wednesday evening.
United Brethren Church--Mite Society
Second and Fourth Wednesday
Sunday School 2 p. M.
PRAYER Meeting every Thursday evening,
Regular Services by appointment from the
rulpit.
Methodist Episcopal Church Rev. j.
F, F. GRAY Pastor. Services every alternate
Sunday at 10 A. NJ. Sunday School Q A. M.
Prayer Meeting every Thursday evening ut Z
p. NJ.
United Brethren Church-Rcv A. N.
Horn, Pastor. Services every alternate
Sunday at 8 p. III. Sunday School every
Sunday at 2p. Ill. Prayer Meeting every
Thursday evening at Up M.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Carriage Of Infection by Physicians.

The communication of contagious dis
eases by physicians Isl question which hns
for some time been agitated in England,
the general conclusion being that, al
though it cannot be denied as Il thing pos
sble for medical man under some cir
cumstances to convey infection from one
patient to another, the risk of this taking
place is, if ordinary precautions be taken.
almost nil.
This is thought to be clearly shown by
the experience of the London Fever hospi-
tal where the resident medical officer in
the discharge of his duties is constantly
passing from the scarlatina department to
the departments for measles, typhoid,
diphtheria, etc, and yet, as stated it has
never been found that he transfers these
contagia, although he would be much
more likely to do so than an ordinary
practitioner, inasmuch as the poison is
necessarily more concentrated in fever
ward than in room where only one pa
tient is treated.
The medical attendant Is not, as a rnle,
brought into sufficiently close and pro.
longed connection with his patient for his
clothes to receive any very large amount of
the contagion, and short exposure in the
open air is generally sufficient to disinfect
him. For all ordinary purposes washing
the hands in disnfecting solution and
short exposure to fresh air will sufficiently
dSinfect practitioner, though it is advis-
able that he change his coat and visit his
infectious patient last.-New York Trib-
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Scratching Matches on the Sky.

1t was evening, and little Brooklyn
boy stood at Il window with his face flat
tened against the pane He was watching
slowly gathering storm. Distended, ON
inous looking wind clouds and thunder
heads went bowling through space, while
lightning flashes illumined the lnurky
aqueous background. For some time the
electrical broadsides continued, but still the
little boy was an interested spectator.
Darkness settled upon the scene, but only
to make the lightning more vivid by con-
trast. The little boys mother entered the
room. Finding him intcntly gazing out of
the window she asked:
well, Willie, what do you see?"
At that instant there was a vivid flash
of lightning, quickly followed by loud
clap of thunder.
"Oh, mammal" Willie exclaimed, as If
he had solved a difficult problem after long
study, 81 dess Dod is getting ready to
light his lamps, cause he's scratching
matches OH the sky."-Ncw York Herald.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
NnSps and Their Meats.

If "A wasl, :, nest is laid bare in Novefibef
three distinct kinds OF waspS will he seen
small neutcrs or workers, now few in
number middle sized stingless males and
from POO to 300 large wasps. The latter are
the queens or fertilized mothers, and alone
survive the winters. Some few of them re.
main in the nest, but the greater proper
ton of them hibernate in warm and shell
tered spots, in hooks and crannics, in the
thatch of cottages or straw ricks.
With the bright sun of March they are
revived to life and activity, and then may
be seen about every hedge bank, seeking
for suitable hole in the grouhd where
each may found a vaspiary or common
wealth. Having chosen spot, the queen
ut once commences to scoop out the soil
and carry It away in her Jaws and soon
vaulted chamber is made u foot or more
beneath the ground. Next she proceeds to
some old stumps and decayed woods,
whence she nibbles small fragments of
woody tissue by means of her strong man.
dibes. These she carries home in the form
of small rounded pellets mastcates them
thoroughly, mingles them with glutino,,a
saliva, and finally manufactures Il strong
kind of paper.
Unlike the queen bee, whose sole busi
ness it is to lay eggs, the queen wasp has
to work hard all day long With the pa
per she makes she twists a strong cord.
which is fixed firmly to the roof Of her
abode. She then makes Il cell at the other
end of the cord; around this she proceeds
to build many other cells. and in each OF
these she lays an egg
In due time the eggs are Matched and
footle>s grlbs emerge; these pass through
the lArva and pupa stages, and eventually
young colony of wasps is started. Hence
forth the queen leaves the nest no more.
The wasp exhibits as much ingenuity id
making her nest of paper as the bee her
comb of wax, but they start on different
footing. The bee Is furnished with wax
secreting glands, but the wasp can only
obtain her building material by hard work.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Romantic Love In the East Indies.

1t would seem that romantic lovers are
still to be found on the banks of the
Hooghly in n village called Tangail an
other case of "Nillikins and His Dinah"
WAS enacted few days ago. A young
Calcutta graduate on being disinherited
by his father for marrying lady of the
reformed class against his fathers wishes,
agreed with his dearly beloved" to put
an end to their existence by opium poison
ing. They bade adieu to each other and
swallowed opium. The lady died the next
morning: the young graduate revived,
it is said, under the influence of stomach
pump and other medical aid, after paying
penalty Of forty rupees for his rash
act.--Times of India.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
The Manual Of Arms In the Past.

The manual for loading ard firing the
musket in 1907 was
"Join your right hands to your muskets;
handle your matches; blow your matches;
try your matches; guard your pans; blow
your matches; present; give fire; recover
your arms; return your matches; blow your
pans; handle your primers; prime; shut
your pans; blow your pans; cast about to
charge; handle your charges; open them
with your teeth; charge with powder;
charge with bullet; the wads from your
hats; draw forth your rammers; hold them
up; shorten them against your breast; put
them in the barrels ram down your charge;
withdraw your rammers; hold them up;
shorten them against your breast; return
your hammers; your right hand under the
pan; poiso your n,uskets; shoulder your
muskets; rest your muskets; order your
muslcts; lay down your muskets; take up
your muskets; rest your muskets; club
your muskcts; rest your lnuskets; shoulder
your muskets; make ready; give fire, -
Gen. Sherman in North American Review.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
ROYAL BeCgarH.

A royal race of beggars aourishes in
Marking. The founder of the Ming dyn-
asty in the Fourteenth century, Hung
WI, was once n bcggar and when. after
his accession, he was entertaining an old
friend he wished to appoint his former COM
rade to some lucrative Office in the state.
However, the friend declined the honor,
stating that he only wanted to have plenty
to eat and wear, and nothing to do. So
Hung WI created him chief of Il royal Or
der of begSars, and the clan has continued
to the present day. The members Of the
order still live in caves followed out Of the
city walls over the two water gates--fairly
comfortable quarters, with arched ceilings.
They are we'll dressed, smoke much, and
are governed by chief appointed by the
police authorities.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
PAID FOR HIS MEANNESS.
Sailing = Mine to Entrap Rn Accom-
Dlisl,sd Clerical Liar.

A prominent mining operator was telling
of his experiences at Eagle and Murray in
the early days of the C1ur d'Alene STAIN
pede.
''It was IL soft snap" he said, "when
man could get the privilege of spreading
his blankets on the floor by payment of 81
a night. Meals of bacon and beans straight
were 81. But no one thought of complain
ing at high prices when there was posi-
bility of taking hundreds of dollars daily
from the ground.
'But not every claim planned out that
well, or, in fact, yielded any return for the
miners labor. And that reminds ma of a
shrewd little stratagem young fellow
played on a preacher over ut Murray in
those days. The young man, whom we
will call Jones, had been digging on his
claim for a month without so much as
striking color. when one afternoon the
preacher appeared upon the scene. Ask
ing the usual questions as to his SUCCESS
etc, the miner replied chcerfully, and dip
ping up Il pan of gravel offered it to the
preacher, telling him to carry it to the
creek and wash it out and see for himself
On the sly however, the young man took
some gold dust from his pocket and plen-
titully 'salted' the pan.
"Preacher carries the pan to the creek,
and returning reports that he found moth
ing. Jones preserves a discreet silence,
though inwardly sizes the preacher up as
an accomplished liar. Pretty soon the
preacher offers $50 for the claim, which
Jones very promptly accepts. Preacher
goes to work like man, never doubling
but that he would realize $3.50 a pan. I'm
agine his surprise, after thorough trial, to
be unable to find color. Then it lawned
upon him that the ungodly young man
had salted the pan proffered him with ma
licious intent and--gold dust. Meeting the
former owner where he was spending his
i'll gotten gains like a prince the clerical
gentleman accused him of acquiring money
under false pretenses.
"'Don't you dare to throw any of them
charges up to me- partner said Jones SOL
emnly, as he spit on his hands. OF course
salted that mine, but what did you do?
Didn't you steal the snlt!'
"And lie fired the preacher into outer
darkness. ."-Spokane Falls Spokesman.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
ANOTHER AFRICAN EXPLORER.
He Wandered to Busy Madison Squar.
in Quest Of the Festive Elephant.

He Wandered to Busy Madison Square
in Quest Of the Festive Elephant.
He was sguarely built, was dressed In
sober black, had n luxuriant dark beard
and his hair fell like q curtain over the
collar of his coat.
His hands rested on stout stick rs he
sat on a bench in Madison square near the
spot where George Francis Train used to Ell.
ergize his "Psycho," and one could not help
noting in the strangers eyes the faraway,
introspective look that characterizes the
broodng Buddha or the philosopher who
dreams while awake.
AS I was trying to conjecture who or
what he might be stranger stepped
briskly up behind me and said:
'Sit near him and keep him in converse
tion for about five minutes until | come
back. He will tell you some great stories
about the Dark Continent"
Then he walked off ut rapid pace.
Astonished though was curiosity COM
PEELED me to take u seat on the same bench
with the long haired man who was gazing
into vacancy, and l ventured to remark
that it was a pleasant day.
Lifting himself out of the fog of his re-
fections my neghbor replied
"Delightful weather, indeed, but big
game is scarce. l have seen the spoor of
thirty elephants in n spot no bigger than
this, and got dozen mighty tusks after
trekking for only two hours The BARRIERS
spoil everything. would rather trust
myself to the hotpotters-you have read
about them in She, presume-than allow
a barber to run his lawn mower over my
head and currycomb me like brickyard
mule.
"You have doubtless noticed" continued
my eccentric companion, that n BARRIERS
trust is now being organized. Did you
ever hear of such an atrocious outrage? If
you don't patronize them they will boycott
and blacklist you throughout every city in
the United States. Next they will force
congress to pass a law that every man must
wear his hair no longer than an inch and
must pay for two shaves weekly whether
he retains his beard or not"
Satisfied that my humorous though
solemn looking friend was quietly guying
me said: Excuse me. but | infer from
your words that you have Travelled extern
sively in Africa. Were you with Stanley,
or may he bold enough to ask your
namc!"
"Oh, | don't invite notoriety," said he,
"but have no reason to conceal my iden-
tity. | am Allan Quntermain''
Before | could regain my breath the
stranger who had previously addressed me
returned in company with another man.
Come now, Mr.. Quatermain," said
Number Two. 1T is time to get back to
camp"
The great hunter arose and went quietly
along
"Who is he?" gasped to Number One.
"A patient who is being treated in pri-
vate home for insane persons" was the
answer. Quite harmless and will prob
ably recover. His chief hallucination at
present is that he is great African hunter
and explorer. He got away from us this
morning and we expected to find him in
the menagerie at Central park, but some
how he wandered down here instc That
gentleman walking with him now is n doc
tor"-Ncw York Herald.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
A Fisherman Who Went A-Fishin'.

NIIllTOuS anu hlC loHo vi tcliiiS
how Mr.. Jenney went a-tishin'. Mr.. Jen-
ncy is one of the members Of Il firm that
doesn't deal in anything except goods for
Euntsmen and the kindred of that branch.
1t came Mr.. Jenney's turn to have Il vuca
ton. He made ample provisions for pisca-
torial pleasures, for Mr.. .Jenney is particu.
larly fond of that sort of fun. Being in
the business he was equipped better than
the average angler. He reached the waters
where he was to create havoc with the fish.
He put on his fisherman garb, unpacked
and went into camp The erecnhorn drew
nigh and looked upon the city fisherman
with eyes of longing. The rod was con-
nected. Mr.. Jenney stopped suddenly He
had lost or forgotten something His face
looked like whitewashcd fence just after
rain. He had forgotten his lines, flies
and hooks. He rammcd one hand in a
pocket and drew out Il bundle of things.
He picked out u string and al old fash
ioned hook, the same as that carried by a
boy when he runs away from school. And
thus accoutereu Mr.. Jenney went a-Gshin'.
Chicago Tribune.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
RloOminytlaIe's Secrecy.

There is in New York city u vast institu-
ton whose fame as phenomenon of its
kind is world wide, but whose secrets aud
mysteries have never been penetrated by
the daylight of public knowledge
This place, from which the outside world
is forever drbarred is the Bloominglale
Insane asylum. No prison in the city or
country is guarded and watched like this
institution. TO get out of it without the
knowledge of the officials is impossible.
There are inmates of the place whose
families would deem it an awful disgrace
for it to become even slightly known that
any one connected with them was confined
in Bloominglale.- York Journal.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23

How dcmurc thy down dropped face,
Bending o'cr the open l'ook,
With thy finger on the place,
And thy earnest, studious look;
White ills yelling thy dark eyes,
Sometimes raised in sweet surprise.
Dearest maid that e'er drew breath,
Winsome maid, Elizabeth!
Wonld were q poet, love!
All for thee my rhymes should flow.
Would were carrier dove,
On thy errands swift to 20! r.
Would were q devotee,
At thy bearty's shrine to be,
Low eliest maid that e'er drew breath,
Rare, sweet maid, Elizabeth!
I'm In love with thee, dear one!
D>you know II! Haveyou guessed it,
am glad at last it's done
Glad have at last confessed it
Glad if love has found You. too,
And your heart to me IL true; ... ..r.
Gla,l il only one light breath
Whispers "Yes"-Elizabeth
Boston Transcript.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Her Majesty's Family Circle.

Queen Victoria's family circle now mum,
bers fifty living descendants, including
sons and daughters, grandsons and grand
daughters, great-grandsons and great
granddaughters. Besides she has four
sonsin-law. four daughters nlaw, five
grandsons-n-law and one granddaughter.
inlaw. The queen has lost one son and
one daughter, five grandsons, one grand
daughter, one great grandson and one SON.
in-aw. If these were living her family
circle would number seventy -four.-E1.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Kind Hearted Bridget.

Cooking School Girl-Bridget, what did
you do with that cake baked yesterday?
MIR. Finefello is here and want to givs
him some.
Bridget-Wull, mum, I'll get it fur ye II
We say So; but sure it isn't me would bs
discoorSgin' nice young mon like that
New l,y.k M echly.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Killed and Ate Her New Husband.

An extraordinary story of cannibalism
comes from Zanzibar. a love match had
been made between Il couple of young Swa-
hills and on the day following that of the
marriage the bridegroom's friends called
to offer the customary congratulations.
They experienced some difficulty In get
ting into the hut and at last forced an EN-
trance, when they found that the bride of
u day had killed her beloved lord, had al
ready had one feast off his body and was
preparing the remainder for future use.-
London Hawk. ..... ....
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
ElOating Saw Mill.

A floating saw mill is found to be Il use
full adjunct to the business of a lumber
man. The craft usually employed for this
purpose is about 40 feet by so feet, and
draws about ls inches of water. All the
hands connected with the numbering work
live aboard, and the boat travels up the
river, stopping whenever good lot of tim.
Der is sighted near the banks-New York
Commercial Advertiser.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23

The distance Travelled by Stanley in the
interior of Africa is estimated by him at
5,4OO miles, of which all but 1000 were on
foot. The expedition occupied three years
and rescued 800 personsj at cost Of less
tha. GG0. 900.
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23
Smart Boy.

Office Boy ITO Blossom, who has just en-
tered)-Senator Doodle called while you
were out and he waited quite while.
Blossom-You knew was in Bloomer's
office across the hall; why didn't you call
me?
Office Boy-I couldn't leave the office
alone, sir.
Blossom-Why boy, that gentleman is
a United States senator.
Office Boy-That's the reason didn't
want to leave him in the Office alone, sir
EDoCh
Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-04-23

Tests of aluminium bronze have been
commenced at the Watertown arsenal,
Massachusetts, under the auspices of the
government. The tensile strength was
shown to be over 10000 pounds to the
square inch. and the transverse strength
Cs 600 pounds Oh one inch square bar.