davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

had been suspended for the day. The scene was that of a huge tunnel, the strong old brick walls being coated with grim yellow and gray slime, va ried at different points here and there; at some glistening with almost reflect i've power, and at others a fuzzy or dull effect. The atmosphere was very heavy and oppressive, but not at all nauseous (according to the popular con- ception.) At times there was a sour or stale odor, but upon the whole the air was far better than is breathed in many of the poor tenement houses in the city.
 Over the bottom of the sewer there flowed volume of water less than two feet in depth. Under the rays of the lantern, gleaming over its surface, it looked black and forbidding.
 Being past the midnight hour, when all business had ceased, and the city at large was asleep, very little of the usual how-as in the daytime-was vis- ible.
 Everything was quiet, the almost inky stream at our feet seeming blacl<er than ever, and the current went slug gishly along, suggestive of the classic rlVeF oIyN, luldS nations or RODllnS, imps and spirits lowering here an1 there, especially at the portals of the smaller crossing sewers. Bitterly cold draughts of air, as though forced through a frosted sponge, swept past us with sound, now and then, like the death song refrain of some aborig- inc chieftain, or the far-off vail of ex- piring unfortunates.
 These ruminations were broken when Capt. Webb, who had heretofore kept silent, ordered a halt. We stood still. His workmen had hung up lanterns on spikes driven into the walls of the tun- nel, and thus there was enough light thrown forward from the arch above to enable us to see, in the shadows be- yond, what seemed to us thousands of electric sparks. Soon, however, ones eyes became accustomed to the gloom, through which we peered and could dimly perceive the forms of thousands of rats, their eyes all aglow with phos- phorescent light, gleaming, glaring and flashing toward us. As we gazed upon
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14
NEW YORK < NEW ENGLAND.

Passe 1ger Trai1 Service, week days, Nov 20, 1899
 Trains leave waterbury ro- sOSTON-7:30, a. m; .0o. sS.45,4:0f 5:15,o q PROVIDENCE-7:So a. m.; i:OC ",our, n NEW YORK via Rrewsters-sa5 a ua 21a~.m. woRCESTER-7:3O a. m; pm. NEW LONDON-7:3O a. m.. 100. 409 p m PUTNAM-7:3o a. m; 100. 4:OC 5l5 D. m WILLIMANTIC-7:S0 a. 10. :t:oo, *335,4:O ,tl5 pm. SPRINGFIELD-7 30 a. m.; 500 D. u. NEw HAVEN via Plainvi le-7:S0, Io4b &, ID loo
 515 pm HARTFORD- --7:S0. 10:45 am; 100, "3;4s 400
 5;15, S:l5 D. m. NEW BRTTATN-7:sn. 1O:46 a. m.; 100
 "345, 100, 5:l5, Sis D m. PLAINVTLLF-7:30. IO;45, a. m.: 100 rsAb
 100, 5: 3, S:l5 D. m. BRIsToI--7:sO. 1o45 a. m.; I:oo, +3:4s, zoo
 1S, Sl5 p. m. TERRYVILLE--7:an lC:45 a. m; 100. "3.4b
 400, 5iF, S:'5 D. m. wATERvILLE-7:So, lo45 . m.: "3:4b.a:OO. s.1
 Q. m
 MERIOEN-s 20 a, m, 1 O5, 4:Po D. m. UNION CITY-fs:05 a ;p, f7:45 D. ID. rowANTIC-fs;O5 a. m., f2:1O, 7:45 D. m. SOUTHFORD-S:o5 a. m.; 2:l0.,7:45 D. m SOMP PERAUC VALLEY-s:C5 a m.. IC,7:4sp SANDY HOOK-S:05a. m; 2:i0, 7:45 D. m. HAWLEYVILLE--s:o5 a. m.; s:1O, 7:45, D. n. DANBURY-s:o5 8. m.; 2:1O, 7:45 D. m. BREWSTERS-S:O5 a. m; 2IO, DIV LL-oN-HUDsoN-s:O5 a. m; a:1o v. m EW- Binghamton, Elmira Jamestown. C,1ero
 land, Akron and Chicago SOS m.; 2:i0 n PoUGHKEEPSIE-vla HopeweIl Junction. s.o, a. m, Sundays only I. D. BARTON, Gen Sup't, Boston.
 A. c, Kendall C4 P A. Boston
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

feet away from us, and stared and glared curiously. Far away in his rear, in the shadowy background, could be dimly seen the forms of others of his tribe, who, with the exception of inad- vertent squeals, seemed to be awaiting developments.
 The 'watchman took from his pocket an ordinary comb, which he wrapped with thin paper, and, placing it next to his teeth, began vibratory sounds, with rising and falling infections. Instant ly the old rat priclled up his ears as though listening, and then slowly but steadily advanced until he entered the circle of light. Thereupon and imme- diately out of the distant gloom. came into view hordes of rats, of all sizes, shapes, colors and conditions. The first large old rat was evidently the king of all, for all the others surrounded him at a respectful distance, and seemed to await his orders. There were thousands of them, young and old. Most of them remained quiet, but others, presumably young ones, cavorted and squealed far away in the background The old king rat suddenly arose on his hind legs and whirled his head to and fro like marshal review ing his forces, and thereupon for mo- ment all the others remained motion less and quiet. Suddenly the watch
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14
A FEW RAT TALES.
An Exciting Hunt in the Sewers
 of New York.
Drab and Yellow Rat as Large as . Cat A Modern "Pied Piper of Hamlin Town"- "-How . Watchman Calls
 Thousands of Rats About Him.
lCoPYRIGHT, lSy2. 1


 Not long ago the writer attended rat hunt in the Canal-street sewer, New York, at the invitation of Capt. Webb, who had been superintendent of the sewerage system of the metropolis for over thirty years. During his term he had patrolled these underground tun- nels, which now aggregate nearly five hundred miles, during the past thirty years.
 Our party consisted of nine men and twelve thoroughbred rat dogs of superi- or merit. Preparations had been made to attacka host of rats at every possible point of vantage. The great Canal street sewer was selected for the hunts. It is fifteen feet in diameter from the North-river front to Broadway-quite large enough to drive coach and four through. Sewer men had been sent out in advance to fix strong wire net tings to close the mouths of cross sew CTS at will, and barrels of garbage had been placed where they would attract the hungry rodents. These wire screens were arranged to be dropped, so as to effectually cut off the escape of the rats at the proper time.
 Our party entered the sewer by a row. boat from the river front near the mid night hour, when business in the city
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14
N, E. X |. Railroad Tima '2O'e
June 5, 1899. NATGATUCK DIVISION Tcatns leave Waterbury for

NET TORR sos 7:8o, SEC IO5O a n 1.2s 3:!5, 53 pm. sunday 4:l5 D. m. Return S;ol 500 Io:n3 a 1:oO. 4:o2- 6:o2 D. m NEW HAVEN via Naugatuck Jurction-7:3o S26, a m. 1:2S 3:2a, 4'4O 5:53 - Rs turn-S:O0, ,l2:00 d. m. l:45 p. m. Sunday S:0( a
 NEW LONDON and intermediate stations 0hr0ugh tlain> 4:40p. m.
 BRlDGEtORT-6:05, 7:30, @:2i, t0:s0 m. les 3:h. t53p. m. Sunday 4:15 ,. m. Return --7;o5 N;h2 a m.; 1910, 2:2S S:3o. "A p .NSoN1A--G:O5 7So, S:2G Io:5o, a 10 r:,s, a:aS 4ao, N5a, CntXedN p. m. sunday i:15 D. m s:ll, I,2o n. III, sunday S.43 a. m. WATERTOWN--6:44, s:37, 1l:@" \ m, 3:5S i12 70 D. m. Saturday a:l5 p. III. 2, turn 62S, 7h5, lo:20 a. m. 2:50, 4.4O 5: O. ?. m. saturday. 7s5 n m.
 FHOMASTON--8:32 1lI7 a. m, 3:*3, f:59, ,9:oO 'n. Sunday 9:25 a. m. Return :OS. 7;5s, 1928, a. m., 2:55, 5:26 D. m. Sunday 8:4: rORRINGTON--s:s ttl7, a m, S:5", 6:s9 o.ro p.m. Sunday 9:2N Return-G:f'. 7:3I, lo:00 q m, 2:so. sos D. m Sunday 3:2' p. m. WINSTED-s:32 tt:17 a. m.. 1858, 6:t0 9:1O r. m. Sunday 9:91 a. m. Retur''--"'3. -:t0 ota, a. m., 2:0S, 4:t2 D.m sunday OG pm LUCTUS FUTILE, General Manager.
 c. T. HAMPSTEAD, Gen aral Pass Agent
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

them they glared upon us. They seemed to realize their peril and appre- ciate their desperate condition.
 The string of dogs, which up to this time had been kept in the background and were controlled with no little diffi- culty, were let loose and dashed impet uously forward toward the hosts of rats.
 Instantaneously there was transfor- nation scene. The whole atmosphere seemed full of dogs and rats. The snarls and howls of the canines min gling with the screams and squeals o1 the rodents was a pandemonium of the most appalling character. In the twinkling of an eye there was kaleid oscopic spectacle of indescribable con- fusion, in which the leaping, rushing to and fro, snapping of teeth, snarling yelping, barking and struggling of the dogs, together with the splashing ip the water and the screams, misses and squeals of the rats, made a chorus o1 incomparable horror. The echoes rang with these hideous sounds as tEt
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

struggle continued, and at times it was almost impossible to distinguish dogs from rats as they sprang, leaped, clinched, snapped and tumbled over each other in the mad contest.
 The most that we could see was a grim, weird sort of merry-go-round oi heads, tails, legs, paws, teeth, claws and fur of rats and dogs
 Meanwhile a wild mob of the rodents sought desperate escape by frantically rushing for the only outlet, galloping and scrambling in their efforts to pass where we stood, leaping, tumbling and rolling all around us, with screams. misses and hoarse coughs, in horrid din, as we whaclxed at them with heavy clubs in merciless vigor and also stamped them under our heavy boots. But the strugg e was brief and decisive. The well-trained thoroughbred dogs ir their carnival of destruction made quick, short, complete work with theil natural prey; and besides what we failed to destroy with our bludgeons very few escaped slaughter. We could not count the number of the slain, but Capt. WebI calculated the death roll to be more than 1000.
 Rats cannot be domesticated, but they can be tanned to certain degree, and, although by their nature always shy, they can be made familiar with those who are constantly near them. Claus Peterson, a night watchman of over thirty years service in the storehouses at Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn, N. Y., be. came so familiar with the rats there about as to not only make them friend. ly and docile, but to certain extent gave them 8 rudimentary education. The writer was with him one night, re- gently, when the place and surround. ings were silent and deserted, and wit messed some strange "doings." We en. tered one of the huge warehouses and seated ourselves on empty boxes. Gloom and silence prevailed everywhere. The watchman set his bull's-eye lantern on the floor so that its rays went athwart the main passage and illuminated the front of an immense grain box. Then he began to tap lightly on the floor with his club. After continuing this for a few minutes we could see just beyond the scope of the lanterns rays the fig ure of rat of unusual size, almost as large as an ordinary cat It approached slowly and cautiously toward us, and soon we could discover its color and size. Its fur was yellow and drab, with white breast and belly, long stiff bristles and a sharp-pointed nose. Eyes that glittered like electric sparks were fixed upon us, and as it's mouth opened, now and then, gleaming, long, sharp pointed teeth were disclosed. There was great deal of deliberation in the movements of his approach. His eyes snapped and flashed as he hopped and half ran in circles toward us, but never for an instant was his gaze directed from us. His eyes spoke volumes.
 He surveyed the situation with an in telligence worthy of military hero He knew the watchman well, but he was evidently suspicious of my appearance. He sat on his h'RNches, about twenty
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

1VTUN TVT'TIIh, IFeneraI Mandger.
 c. T. HENPSTEAD. Gen arnl Pass Ayant
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

They Won't Harmonize.-"Whv. Matilda" said the caller, your baby is just too sweet for anything, and the very picture of his father" .'Yes, I know" sobbed the young mother, "but-but he has got red hair, and I just had the nursery decorated in pink. |" Brooklyn Eagle,
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

DrC w. Vests Nprve and Brain rreatn ent, a specific fo- Hysteria, Fl Neuralgia. Nervous Preservation caused by alcohol or tobacco, Wake, tuness MentaI Depression, Sottentng of Brain mature O d Age, and Female wtaknesses- caus d by oves-exertiou or brat .: mon h s tr r4atment, St. fo S ny mail. We z ia' an ee six bottles to cure k ,ch order for d box s,with & will send written guarante" to refund money if nnt cured Gu rant ie issue only by k. C Partres urugg st, Waterbur Conn
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-12-14

man gave ; qmck, sharp, loud bIaSST on tho comb, whereat the king rodent ut tered shrill, piercing scream, which was taken up and reiterated from the throats of his thousands of subjects. The din that followed was indescriba- ply horrid-like chorus of walls from the bottomless pit-or, in other words, like "hell let loose" It was a babel of shrill. ear-splitting squeals and screams enough to drive one mad. Even the old watchman clapped his hands to his ears. Then he stamped his foot upon the floor, whereupon the noise ceased almost as suddenly as it began.
 After short pause he commenced whistling soft low minor key tune. To my immense amazement some of the ''varmints" joined with modulated squeals and moans, as if in mimicry.
 Then he began to tap the floor with his club, at which signal the throng of rodents commenced to encircle the old king rat in a professional dance and galop
The morning news., 1892-03-28
Better Grass Lands

The American CUltiUGtor says: There Is
need of bstter grass lands in nearly every
section. The demand for hay is never less
ened when IL is properly cured from good
grass. But the basis Of all good hay is supe-
rior grass. Our grass lands are generally
neglected mora than any other crop, and
yet they are as profitable as three-fourths of
the farm crops Nothing Iesponds to good
care so readily as grass, and nothing in-
creases the fertility OF the sell so thoroughly
as clover and orchard grass.
1t is not sufficient TO say that clover Is the
sure sign that the soil is being renovated,
for many lands cannot well secure good
clover catch, but it Is more to the point to
say that the farm which has fine, rich lux
uriant grass growing on it is in good condi-
ton. aud that its fertility is increasing
every year. Most of our soils are suffering
from lack OF vegetable material in them.
Commercial fertilizers have ruined many
by keeping from them the particular plant
food which nature supplies. Muck, COM
posted barn yard manure, and even leaf
mold, may to a certain extent supply ths
soil with the lacking ingredients; but no
artificial application OF this nature can
wholly make up for the loss OF the annual
crops of vegetables which nature turns into
the soil TO enrich 1t.
The morning news., 1892-03-28
The Grass Cron.

The grass crop is one in which there is
never any danger of overproduction. 1t
has many advantages for all farmers. No
crop is SO little afflicted by disease, none re-
quires so little culture and attention, none
will produce SO largely for years from a sin
gle preparation and planting, none with
stand such extremes of temperature, and
none is so easily and chesply harvested.
Still further no crop has such a widely
recognized cash value, and not one will keep
longer under right conditions and actually
improve by keeping than the hay crop.
Grasses are among the first plants to
start in spring and last in autumn to cease
growth They make no special demands if
only provided with food, and constitute the
safest, surest anchor for the agrioulturist
to tie to. Very naturally does the question
rise, Why is not grass made more Of a
specialtvs
The morning news., 1892-03-28
Poultry Dis seasss.

The cholera and roup are two chief diff
culties with which the beginner has 60 con-
tend, says an exchange. Geese and ducks
are partially exempt, excepting lameness
during the wet seasons. Turkeys are sub
ject to all the ills that affect chickens. and
they are not easily cured when sick. They
often become affected with roup in winter.
All kinds of poultry should be sheltered
during stormy seasons, If but an open shed
is provided. Another difficulty experienced
by poultry in winter, and especially on
stormy days, is the exposure to high winds
which is disagreable to them. The hens do
not like to be closely confined. IL some
sheltered resort can be provided where they
can work and scratch, they will thrive bet
ter and keep in laying condition.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

sary By changed conditions, and it will be q
sad day to this writer, IL perchance be
should live to see it, Co look upon the YER
dant fields and prosperous homes that will
grow out OF more rational system. in the
possession OF aliens and strangers who are
not In sympathy with our southland aud its
traditions. We want to see these old homes
rehabilitated and transmitted to our own
sons and daughters, but sharing our surplus
lands with the man of energy from colder
climes who will doubtless set q good exam
pie TO US in the steadiness and diversity OF
his work
We do not want him 20 replace but 10
add to the number of progressive and en-
thusiastic tillers Of the soil, who give to the
pastoral feature Of farm life the fullest con-
sideration. Then our worn soils will grow
rich again.
The morning news., 1892-03-28
Charcoal Beneficial .

We are great believers in feeding char
coal to the hens in soft feed once or twice a
week, says writer IN an exchange, and
believe it contains a substance their organs
require constantly. As it acts on the blood,
it acts really on the life itself OF the fowl
When the blood is thick and clotty, dull
sick chicken will soon follow; thin blood al
ways means vigorous circulation. and on
good circulation health largely depends. II
your fowls lack activity, they need some
Qish course
The morning news., 1892-03-28
Advantage of Nearness to Marx ct

Advantage OF Nearness TO Market.
The increased price Of land near cities,
villages and railway stations, even for agri-
cultural purposes, is not wholly speculative.
In a growing city the extension of popula-
ton may 10 few years make farm property
marketable for building lots. But meantime
for gardening, for milkmen and for small
fruit-growing the nearby land will produce
more at less cost than will that further off.
One reason is that supplies Of manure can
be more readily got Stable manure is very
expensive, as there is even with nearby
land not only a first cost of the manure, but
greater expense of hauling it TO the fields.
1t makes a great difference also whether
two or three loads of produce may be mar
keted with singls team or only one. Labor
is more plentiful as population increases in
the neighborhood. Much also depends on
the lay Of the land and character of roads.
One or two hills between the farm and city
greatly lessene its value. They diminish
the amount of produce that can be marketed
and increases its cost.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Few. II any, Of the criminals leave Italy by
sea, as a strict watch Is kept on all who 10 out
OF the country by boat; these persons generally
take the railroad 70 some northern European
port where they embark for the United States.
Preference is given 10 the Netherlands steam
ship line, whose rates are lower than the others,
and whose vessels make q landing ~ Boulogns
70 accommodate Italian emigrants.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Nebraska. Lincoln; H. H. Nicholson, d.
rector. No. 81: Experiments n the cult
ure OF sugar beets in Nebraska; 40 pages.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Ohio. Columbus; Charles E. Thorne, di-
rector. No. 10, vol. 4. Tenth annual re.
port for 1891
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Illinois, Champaign; s. H Peabody, di-
rector. No. 10: Experiments with cats
and the chinch bug in Illinois; Is pages.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Texas, College station; George w. Curtis,
director. Fourth annual report for 1891; 10
pages.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Nearly every one needs a good spring
medicine, and Hoods sarsaparilla is un-
doubtedly the best Try it this season.
Ad.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Letters of a personal character to the
agricultural editor cannot be replied to un-
less stamps are inclosed. We receive fire.
ysent letters asking for information of in
tsrest only to the writer's and not suitable
for publication. We are always willing TO
iuform our readers where various seeds can
be procured, but as this information can
only be impaired by mail stamp is neces-
snrY for a reply.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Questions and communications relative TO
agricultural and horticultural subjectsif ad-
dressed to Agri. Editor, Drawer N. Mill
sdgeville. Ga, will receive immediate atten-
ton.
The morning news., 1892-03-28
L1rsRArURE OF AGRICULTURE.
Latest Issues OF Bulletins by the Expe-
rimantal Stations.

georgia, experiment; X J. hedding, d.
rector. No. IL: This very interesting
bulletin treats Of Irish and sweet potatoes
tomatoes and forage plants; 80 pages. All
of our readers should send for this bulletin,
as It is one Of the most instructive that has
been issued by the station.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

We solicit articles for this department.
The meof the writer should accompany
theletter or article. not necessarily for pub
cation. bet as an evidence of good faith.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

,,a.i :. may be that much OF the soil OF the
v.at 'n VIII go into the hands Of aliens and
osoausers during the next ton years. be-
w,,s ,se our farmers have failed b get in sten
M a the progress Of events. aud refused 10
the change imperatisely made neces-
The morning news., 1892-03-28

nLD NEwsPAPERS-9o0 for Is cenn-at
W Business of1oe 4ornlng Newn
The morning news., 1892-03-28
THE QUESTION BOX.
Pecan Culture.

Pecan culture is attracting the attention
of your readers TO some extent. In your
issue OF last Monday you mentioned some of
benefits Of the same, and see you advocate
the planting of the nuts instead of trans
planting trees.
For the benefit Of your readers will you
In your next issue answer these questions:
l. At what time Of the season should the
nuts be pIanted9
2. The best varietvi
3. How many nuts TO the hill to insure a
stand2
4. How far apart should they be planted
8. Can you name dealer who has good
variety OF nuts?
By answering these questions you will
confer a favor and oblige s.. H.
SQuQnnah. Ga.
The morning news., 1892-03-28

Poultry and Bee Papers.
(which is the best poultry paper pub
lisheda Is there any southern paper devoted
to poultrya-to beesp HARVEY.
BIB Cou7atN