davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
THE MlDsPoT OF OUR PLANET.
Many Places which Contest the Honor.
Their Claims.

Their Claims.
For several centuries different cities of
the orient have contested with each 9th
er for the honor of being recognized as
the midspot Of our planet. In 1888 a
London geographer issued an elaborate
work, in which he tried to prove the
British metropolis to be the center of the
landed surface of the globe. Jerusalem
and Delphi, Notwithstanding that neither
Is situated on or very near the equator.
have for ages been the two main con-
testants in this great central city contro-
versy.
William Simpson Of tho London So
ciety For the Exploration Of Palestine
tells us that Herr Schick has sent home
drawings Of the spot in Jerusalem which
Is supposed by some to be the exact GEN.
ter of our world. This interesting place
is in the Greek church, nine feet to the
right of the reliquary containing what
purports to be the crown of thorns worn
by our Saviour, the first nail that was
driven through his right hand and the
blood which he shed on that memorable
occasion.
It is written in the Psalms, "God is
my king of old, working salvation in
the midst of the EARTH"
This can only refer to the scenes of the
passion and of the holy sepulcher. The
midst or spot of the earth must, there
fore, be sought in that vicinity. The be-
lief that the center of the earth is at
Jerusalem is very ancient, for it is al
luded to by st. Ephrem in his reference
toNoah's prayer over the bones of Adam.
st. Ephrem says, "And Noah buried
Adams bones in the middle of the
EARTH" A certain round stone in the
temple of Delphi is also spoken of by
the ancient writers as being the "navel
or center of the earth"
Orestes takes refuge there when pur-
sued by Euminides. Pindar also makes
mention Of the exact location of the
center of the world, and Pensanius, like
Herr Schick, also had the pleasure Of
beholding the only genuine central hub
of our planet. He, however, locates it
at Delphi instead of at Jerusalem. "It
is made" he said, "of white stone,
smooth and polished, and is no doubt
the middle point of the world. ."-Phila-
delphia Press.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
Frenclwomen In Trousers.

For the privilege of wearing trousers
the French government charges women
tax of from $40 to $40 year. This by
no means gives every woman who is
willing to pay the tax right to wear
trousers. The government instead con-
fers tho right as a tribute to great
merit. Trousers are, in fact, a sort of
decoration given to women as the ribbon
of the Legion of Honor is given to men.
The only women to whom has been
granted the right to wear trousers are
George Sand, Rosa Bonheur, Mime.
Dieulafoy, the Partisan arch@ologist;
Mime. Foucault, the bearded woman,
and two feminine stonecutters, Nine.
Fourreau and La Jeannette.-New York
Evening Sun.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04

When In the morning clerk arrives
an hour late and makes some paltry ex-
cuse-that his wife is dead. or some nom
sense of that sort-I of course dismiss
him at once. But IL were to defer my
decision until tho evening should very
likely confine myself to fining him q
weeks salary. If it were his first offense,
and my dinner had been particularly
good, ! might even let him off with a
reprimand. That is the reason why do
no business under any pretext after din
ner. 1t is all very well to feel kindli-
ness, but one has to be careful that the
feeling shall not influence ones actions.
How inseparable from our dearest de-
lights are our deepest sorrowsl have
but one serious affliction. the great soup
the soup of the city--has not real at
traction for me. It is richly expensive;
It is hallowed by q thousand historical
associations; it has brought ecstasy to the
hearts Of men with larger incomes than
I shall ever possess, but to me it is al
most closed book. Sometimes when l
am eating it at city banquet feel as
IL / could see afar off its perfect mean
ing and catch dim glimpses of its su-
perb generosity. But that is all. lean
not love 1t US know that it ought to be
loved.
Heretofore have kept my affliction a
secret, but last night, when Thomas
Pigge and I were dining with the Fen
dermakers Zone of the 12 principal COM
panies), l noticed that he was watching
me. He saw that did not really under
stand that soup. However, am not
afraid that Thomas Pigge will ever dare
to reproach me for this. He also has his
weak point, and, as he is aware. know
IT, He is quite unorthodox on the sub
ject of sauce hollandaise. He has the
ory as to the correct preparation Of it
which can only be characterized as dam
gerous and revolutionary.
But must pause. hear the gong,
waking gently and sleeping as gently
again. Blessed soundl Blessed, blessed
dinner! / write no morel go!-Henry
Pain in London Illustrated News.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
Artificial AurOras.

Artificial miniature auroras of the bo-
reals variety have been produced by
both De la Rive, the French savant, and
Lenstrom, the Swedish astronomer. In
Professor neutrality-suspicious., which
were made in Finland, the peak of high
mountain was surrounded with coil of
wire, pointed at intervals with tin nibs.
The wire was then charged with cleo
tricity, whereupon brilliant aurora ap-
peared above the mountain in which
spectroscopic analysis revealed the
greenish yellow rays SO characteristic in
natures display of northern lights."-
Foreign Letter.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
Secondhand Plate Glass.

One Of the novel business trades of
Boston is that Of q dealer in secondhand
plate glass. Nearly all of this glass is
bought by the dealer from insurance
companies. The large plates Of this kind
of glass are insured when put in q win
dow, and when any of them is broken
the owner of tho injured glass usually
prefers that the insurance company
should replace the broken piece rather
than that he should be paid its price.
The dealer in the secondhand glass con-
trives to utilize what remains Of the un-
broken part of the glass.-New York
Tribune
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
Our Other Self,

Each Of us has two selves, the higher
and the lower. When God seems out of
reach, as is often the case, and our pray
ers return to us heavier and sadder than
when they left our lips, it is good
plan to commune with that alter ego
which is q shade nearer the divine, that
part which longs to help and to over
come, but is held down by the infrmi-
ties of the lower nature. Ask it for
strength and instruction, and by so do
ing help the whole man. God is so often
beautifully found in such ways.-Ameri-
can Woman's journal.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
the Tapping of the Deathwatch.

The so called deathwatch, dreaded by
the superstitious, is small beetle which
has very powerful joint in its neck
and calls its mate by tapping with its
head on the wall or on any surface where
it may happen to be located. The noise
is similar to that which may be produced
by tapping with the finger nails on a
table, and the insect can frequently be
made to answer such taps.--New York
Evening Sun.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
The Gallows Plant.

During the middle ages the botanists, or
old "herbalists," gave currency to many
curious stories co0rerning the growth,
form, etc., Of IL AXE or May apple,
which finally rest. Led in its being given
the name Of "gallows plant" The pseudo
scientists of that time declared thatman-
drake would grow in no other place ex-
cept upon which some terrible crimehad
been committed. The roots were for
merly supposed to bear strong resem-
blance to the human form and are fg-
ured in the old "Herbals" which lie be-
fore me as I write, even distinguished as
to sex, tho female Of the plant having
long hair; the male, heavy beard.-St.
Louis Republic.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
His Part.

Hobbs-How are you getting on in
your literary career?
Graph with pomposity)-Splendidly.
I am now collaborating with Scribe, the
author.
Hobbs--Is it possible? What part of
the work do you do?
Graph (who plays the typewriter for
Scribe)-I put his ideas into readable
form.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
The butterfly and Its Case,

The most curious thing about the but
terfly is the size of the case from which
the insect proceeds compared with the
size Of the insects body. The case is
rarely more than an inch long and q
quarter of an inch in thickness. The
butterfly covers surface of nearly
inches square.-St. Louis Republic.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04

A business man Of Canada Of an enter
prising nature has established ''foat-
ing bank" on Kootenai lake, Canada.
1t is in steamer which journeys from
place to place along the lake, thus ena-
bling its owner tosupply the inhabitants
of the lake villages with banking facil-
ities
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04

The inhabitants of this earth have
never seen but one side Of the moon.
The explanation is this: The moon makes
one revolution on her axis in the same
period of time that she takes up in re-
volving once around the earth; thus the
same geographical region of the lunar
surface is always toward us.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04
why They would Not Kiss the Stone.

A correspondent is guilty of being the
originator Of the following joke: "Many
people would not kiss the Blarney stone
at the Worlds fair If they knew it was
merely a shamrock" - Philadelphia
Ledger.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04

One of the largest wire cables aver
made has been completed by Liver
pool firm. The rope has continuous
length of 4s miles and weighs over rs
tons,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-10-04

Very few can reach deep into their
own minds without meeting what they
wish to hide from themselves.
The Republican., 1893-11-16
BITS AND BREVlTIES.

OUT of 4,030 criminals convicted In
Canada during the last year, it is re-
port that but 1872 were total abstainers.
TEMPERANCE education and manual
training are strong levers for lifting
the submerged classes
THE distilleries of the United States
used the last fiscal year 90, 4S9,G7l
bushels of grain in liquor making.
THE applications to the Boston As
sociated Charities last year show that
twenty-five per cent. of the causes for
sickness were intemperance.
THE consumption of beer in the
United States during,last year was six
teen gallons for every man, woman
and child! What a story of poverty,
misery and crime is in the statement!
United Presbyterian.
II the cholera should be quarantined,
how much more should the saloon be
quarantined, which, according to Glad
stone, produces more evil than war" ."
pestilence and famine combined. The
Voice.
THE thirty-fifth report of the Reform.
atory and Refuge Union states that in
Great Britain and Ireland las, 600 per-
sons are every year committed to prison
as drunkards. of whom ll2, 900 are men
and the rest women.
WHILE teaching the temperance
Sunday-school lesson. one of our In
dian boys, ten years old, was asked
this question: What does alcohol do
to mans brain?" 1T makes him
think crooked. American Missionary.
In the face of the constant assertion
that there is snodrunkenness in France,
statistics show that alcoholic insanity
has doubled in fifteen years, and the
number Of persons who have been
placed under restraint on account of it
has increased twenty-five per cent in
the last three years.
LORD SHAFTEsBURY says in regard 20
the Importance and usefulness of tenn
pcrance societies: AS 60 up and down
through the length and breadth of En-
gland am more and more convinced
of the Indispensable Necessity for these
associations am satisfied that, un-
less they existed, we should be i'm
merScd in such an ocean of immortality,
violence and sin as would make this
country uninhabitab
ALCOHOL becomes a dangerous instru-
ment even in the hands of the strong
and wise; a murderous instrument in
the hands of the weak Used too fre-
quently, used too excessively, this agent
which in moderation cheers the failing
body, rclaxes its vessels too extremely;
spoils vital organs; makes the course of
the circulation slow, imperfect, irregu-
lar; suggests the call for more stimula-
ton; tempts TO the renewal of the evil,
and ruins the mechanism of :he healthy
animal before its hour for ruin by nat
ural decay should be At all nAar.
The Republican., 1893-11-16
THE NiMBLE ELEPHANT.
How He Makes His Way Up and Down
Steep Mountains.

1t is a remarkable thing that ele-
plants are able to make their way up
and down mountains and through q
country of steep cliffs where mules
would not dare to venture, and where
even men find passage difficult.
Their tracks have been found upon
the very SUBMITS of mountains over
1000 feet high.
In these journeys an elephant is
often compelled to descend hills and
mountain sides which are almost pre-
cipitous. This is the way in which it
is done:
The elephants first maneuver is to
kneel down close to the declivity. One
foreleg is then cautiously passed over
the edge ana short way down the
slope, and if he finds there is no good
spot for a firm foothold he speedily
forms one by stamping into the soil if
1t is moist or kicking out n footing if it
is dry.
When he is sure of good foothold
the other foreleg Is brought down in
the same way.
Then he performs the same work
over again with his feet. bringing both
forelegs little in advance of the first
footholds.
This leaves good, sure places all made
and ready for the hind feet
Now bracing himself by his huge,
strong forelegs, he draws his hind legs,
first one and then the other, very
carefully over the edge, where they
occupy the first places made by the
fore feet.
This is the way the huge animal pro-
ceeds all the way down, zig-zag, kneel-
ing every time with the two hind legs,
while he makes footholds with his
fore feet. In this way the center OF
gravity" is preserved, and the huge
beast prevented from toppling over on
his nose.-St. Louis Republic.
The Republican., 1893-11-16

Two short pieces of pretty ribbon
must next be tied where the back and
arms of the chair meet. This COM
pletes the swing. Now set dolly in
and then tie her in securely by bring
ing the pieces of ribbon around in
front of her, fastening them in bow
knot.
Now slip cane or any other rod
through the long loops of twine, and
hang up the whole by resting the rod
across two chair backs. Then you can
give her a most delightful swing, and
it will go far to relieve the dullness of
her life.
But more elegant swing can be
made with some spools and a little
wood, and two stout and pretty cords,
and some gilt paint.
Take a thin piece of board, about
the size of the bottom of a dolls chair,
and bore four holes in it, one IN each
corner. This is the swing seat.
You need four Stats of wood-two the
length of the seat, two the length of
the ends of the seat, with holes bored
oS CAAl VI bllS SiiIS.
Run the stout cords through the hole
on one side of the seat, fastening the
end by big knot underneath. Then
pass each twine through three spools;
you now have a column of spools on
each corner at the back of the swing
seat They are intended to hold up the
Stats for the arms of the swing.
The twines are then passed through
the holes in the back slat; also through
one end of each of the arms.
Allowing a good length to serve as
the swing rope, each twine is next put
down through the slat that crosses the
front of the swing; then through the
front ends of the arm slat; next
through two spools that are set over
the hole on the front side of the swing
seat, and last through the seat hole
itself, where it is knotted on the under
side.
This sounds like a puzzle, but if you
have your spools, Stats and cords all
ready and follow directions you will
find that you have made a swing eX-
actly like the one described here.
The front slat slips up and down the
cords when dolly is to be put in or
taken out, To finish it very elegantly
you must gild the seat, Stats and spools.
A rod is passed through the two cords
and laid on the chair backs when the
swing is to be used.-Annie j. Willis,
in Inter Ocean.
The Republican., 1893-11-16
the horses, in case of fire, could 6

their places in the least possible time;
but when they went back it was more
convenient to have them enter by one
door, so they were numbered, and
each knew his own number.
When the horses returned from a
fire, or from exercise, numbers were
called in order, and the first horse, or
number one, passed into the farthest
stall from the general door while the
one with the highest number had the
one nearest the door. All the horses,
you will thus see, were bright, but
Star was considered the brightest.
One time the horse in the stall next
to Stars grew i'll and would not eat.
Star, who was always observant,
knew something was wrong, and would
put his head over the partition and
give his friend a gentle poke with
his nose, talking to him, perhaps, in a
quiet horse why, and showing all the
sympathy in his power.
The men in the engine-house tried to
induce the sick horse to eat, but moth
ing they offered him seemed to tempt
his appetite. They began to fear that
he would starye to death, and so he
might if Star hadn't helped them out.
One day, after the horse had refused
all sorts of food, Star took wisp of
hay from his own manger and thrust
it over the partition, holding it up to
his friends nose, as if coaxing him to
eat.
At first the sick horse did not notice
it, but Star held it out patiently until
at last he took it and ate it.
Star then held him another wisp and
then another until the sick horse had
made quite good meal.
1t seemed as if all the invalid had
wanted was a gentle horse nurse to
feed him. And Star proved to be a
faithful nurse indeed, for he fed his
friend regularly after that from his
own manger until he was well again.
st. Louis Republic
The Republican., 1893-11-16

habit endangers the safety of life
and property; and anyone en-
ployed by that road who knows
OF fellow-employe drinking,
is expected to report it, exactly as he
would report a defective brake, or a
broken rail, or a loose switch, or any
other defect in any part of the road or
its equipment.
1t appears, however, that portion
of the employees resent the rule as an
invasion of their personal liberty"
ind have accordingly been evading it.
This is wrong. No man is compelled to
work for the Chicago & Rock Island
Railroad Co. If he deems its rules
tyrannical, he need not take employ
ment under them. But if he does 40
cept position on that road, that act
carries with it the obligation to obey
allrules. There can be no escape from
that conclusion; and an honorable man,
who considered the rule in question a
tyrannical one, would not take en-
ployment of the company.
1t became a matter of notoriety that
the employees of the road were violat-
ing the rule, and the company, giving
due notice, began its enforcement rig
orously. The penalty of its disobedi-
ence is dismissal. The officials even
employed spoilers to watch suspected
men and report One engineer who
was accused of drinking, protested
stoutly that he did not drink, but col
lapsed and confessed when he was
shown a snap photograph of himself in
the act of draining a schooner of beer.
Another engineer, who was known to
be an abstainer, was discharged for not
reporting a fireman who did drink.
This proceeding of the railway COM
pany emphasizes what the Blade has
frequently predicted-that the time
is rapidly coming when the drinking
man will not find any of the better
avenues to remunerative employment
open to him. He will find it more and
more impossible to obtain any posi-
ton wherein an active brain, correct
eye or steady hand are necessary for
the best work. He will preforce find
himself compelled to seek employment
at the coarsest manual labor-that
which is the least remunerative. And
through the progress of this state of
things, there will be a tremdous i'm
pulse given the movement to pulveYize
the rum power.--Toledo Blade.
The Republican., 1893-11-16
The Dog Could Not Forget.

Sir William Fraser says that one of
the saddest sights he ever saw was at
Interlaken, where he was standing on
the hotel steps watching the arrival of
travellers. / noticed that whenever a
carriage drove up in the evening a
large dog trotted out to it, wagging
his tail and looking at the travellers.
For FIVE or six days in succession this
went on. No one seemed to notice the
dog, who retired every time to his cor
ner. / asked servant at last what it
meant oh" said he, that is dog
that belonged to Mr.. Dutton, who was
killed early in the summer on the
Jungfrau. He is always waiting for
his master, and examines every car
riage that arrives"
The Republican., 1893-11-16
How One Cradle Was Rocked.

During one Of his trips to the Coast
Range mountains, Joe Cohen, ped
dler, came to lonely cabin, and found
the door wide open, says the Newman
Banner In the center of the floor
stood cradle. in which was an infant
fast asleep. The cradle was rocking
with surprising regularity, but no sign
of what propelled it could be seen.
Joe's curiosity was aroused. He went
to the cradle and found stout cord at
tachcd to nail driven in the side of
it. The cord passed through an auger-
hole in the side of the house. lie took
up the trail. which soon led him into a
ravine where a donkey. or burro, was
standing and switching is tail. The
mystery was explained The other end
of the cord was tied 10 the jacks tail,
and the constant switching of its eau
dial appendage furnished motive power
sufficient ~ rock the cradle.
The Republican., 1893-11-16

tie walking about by which to amuse
themselves, they find life very stupid.
There is no reason why a doll should
not have chance to play and enjoy
herself. ANY little girl can provide
her doll with a swing, for instance.
There is u way to make very pretty
one; but one still easier can be ar
ranged in about three minutes by the
clock after you get the things you need
together.
First you select one of the dolls
chairs, good, roomy one. If she has
plenty you can saw of the legs of this
one and keep it as a permanent swing.
Next tic two long, stout pieces of
twine or tape on it, by fastening one
end Of each to the back of the chair
and its other end TO the end of the arm
Cd the same side. The pieces Of twine
must be exactly the same length.
The Republican., 1893-11-16

Was ne ever Sunday-school boy?
We're his golden locks ever caressed by
a tender fathers hand? Did mother
ever place passionate kiss of love
upon his lips? Did sister ever point
with pride and say: my splendid, un-
selfish brother!" 1t may be. But
changes, have come since then. We
met him staggering along the street
as we hurried to the depot last night
A shout of mocking laughter from a
group of boys greeted him as he lost
his footing and tumbled headlong into
an alley. What sight! Hair unkempt-
Whiskers matted and filthy. Face
grimy and swollen. Eyes bloodshot-
Clothes besmeared with the filth of the
street. The patrol wagon dashes up,
and he is loaded in. AS it moves off he
looks about him with confused, won
dering stare. Perhaps in some poor
garret broken-hearted woman was at
that very moment listening in an agony
of fear for his unsteady step. 1t is the
same old story re-told. Drink, fascin-
ating, deceptive, ruinous, accursed
drink has wrought this change. When
will our boys realize their danger?
When will society awake to its duty?
When will the monster be throttled2
EpwOrth Herald