davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
Celestial SDacp.

Sir Robert Ball, the English as
tronomer, has been giving popular
series of lectures in London, in
which he has endeavored to bring
within the comprehension of his
hearers some practical idea of enorm-
Gus space. Referring to the fact
that the stars that we see, apart
from the planets of our solar system,
are sums, he said that the nearest
star to the earth was Alpha Centauri.
which was only visible in the South
ern heavens. Now, to say that this
was 1000, 900, 000, 00o, 900 miles away
gives only aconfused idea of distance,
as half or quarter of this sum would
seem quite as great in the aggregate
as this appears, because the unit Of
distance is too small to easily popu-
larlze the broad conception. TO say
that the star in question is quite
200. 900 times as far away from the
earth as the sun is equally incompre-
hensible. Some other and larger
yard stick must he used when these
tremendous spaces are measured off.
Sir Robert Ball takes as the unit the
distance that electricity can travel in
q second of time, that is, 1870, 900
miles, or seven times around the
earth. While the electric current
under proper conditions could reach
the moon in little more than a Sec
ond and could arrive at the sun in
about eight minutes, it would re-
quire fully three YeaIs of time to
traverse the distance between the
earth and the nearest OF the stars.
But beyond these are other stars or
suns so far of that the distance be-
tween the earth and Alpha Cen.
tauri seems insignificant in COMPARE
son. Sir Robert Ball SAID: There
are stars so remote that if the It'd.
lngs of that first Christmas in Beth
Iehem, nineteen centuries ago. had
been disseminated through the uni.
verse by telegraphic messages, speed
ing at the rate of 1870, 900 miles a Sec
ond, the time that has elapsed since
the event would not have been suffi-
cient to enable the message to. reach
them. Some idea of the immensely
of the universe can be formed by re-
allzing that a speed that would carry
one from the earth TO the moon in a
second would need TO be maintained
for thousands OF years to reach some
of the stars that we see each clear
aight above our heads Boston Her
al
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
Alter Long Absence,

After an absence of ten years Rol
Page returned to his native village
He walked slowly by the brown house
where he used to live He scarcely
recognized it now, for it had beer
painted red, and the two elms neal
the door had been cut down. Stran
gers were looking out Of the windows.
He called on his old friends one BY
one, impatient to receive their greet
ing.
The minister did not know him al
first Then he said, "What change!
You must lave prospered. You look
ten years younger than when you
went away. RoY."
He called on the grocer, who said,
solemnly. II can hardly believe it is
you. You must have suffered. You
look twenty years older than when
you left US, Roy"
He met 10 the street Farmer Hale,
who did not stop Roy cried, "I'm
Roy, who lived with you ali one sum-
mer!"
The farmer stared at him awhile,
and said, "MayDe you are, but you've
changed right good bit You weigh
fifty pounds more than when you
lived here, Roy"
He called on the lawyer, who, after
putting on his spectacles, said, Eyes.
yes, ! have a faint recollection of you.
But how thin and lank you have
grownm
He saw hitched TO a post in the
street the old white horse which his
family used to own, and which he
had fed so often that at the sound of
his footsteps the horse would neigh
for the expected hay or oats. Roy
went up to his old friend. The horse
stepped back as from stranger.
Roy saddened by changes every
where, suddenly met face to face a
little old man, who at once grasped
his hand warmly and said
"Roy, old boy, how natural you
look! You haven't changed bit
should have known you in China.
The five dollars you borrowed from
ME ten years ago-would you have
the kindness-could you oblige me
noW?"
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
Mails Through Pneumatic Tubes

The tubes are laid under ground
between the branch postoffices and
tie main office; they are OF brass,
covered with various materials 20
protect them In the ground, and in
laying them care is taken TO avoid
sharp corners and curves, At the
starting point machinery is placed,
by which air is compressed and kept
stored under a number OF pounds
pressure. The mail matter is put
into leather boxes, which 1T the in
terror OF the tubes; these are placed
In the receiving tubes, which are
closed with heavy doors. The COM
pressed air Is then turned into the re-
ceiving tube. 1t can expand In only
one direction, that is, In the direc-
ton OF the tube, and Ia expanding IL
drives the leather box with us con-
tents before II until al the main Office
the box Is discharged lntO the recelv-
Ing tube. aud the liberated air fol-
lows 10 with a slight explosion. The
system Is In use Ia many newspaper
ofices and between telegraph orices
The shorter the distance 10 DO
traveFsed tho less pressure need be ap-
piled q The alf lirass IN used IA tho
material If che tubes because 10 h
sell'lubf.eatlng and becomes and no.
mains smooth easily and therefore
offers Che least resistance % Che pas.
80 1f che bageA
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
They just Cut the Pennies in Two.

How many collectors of coins know
anything about the curious half-pence
issued centuries ago by English au-
thorities, half-pence in the truest
sense of the words, since they were
nothing more than minted pennies
cut directly in half! Specimens Of
these coins have been discovered fire.
quently among the buried treasures
which from time to time have been
unearthed in Great Britain. In
Lancashire In 1910 were found a rare
lot of coins among which were sew
eral pennies Of the time of Alfred
and Edward divided in this way.
Similarly divided pence Of the time
OF Edward the Confessor have been
found, and in speaking of the dis
covery, in 1888, OF a number of these
curious half-pence of the time of
William the ConquerOr, and unques-
toned authority states that they
were probably issued from the minis
Ia that form, since the whole collec-
ton had evidently been in circula-
tion. In the British Museum in Lon
don are specimens of these divided
coins issued under various monarchs
from Alfred TO Henry Ill, with the
latter OF whom the custom ceased
An eminent acheologist accounts for
the divided coins by saying that this
doubtless arose from the scarcity of
small change, which was in part
remedied under the reign Of Edward
L by the coinage Of half-pence and
farthings
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01

tell M that you care for me-s
little?"
Not even then would she raise her
eyes.
Every we'll. shall go now, but
shall come back. DO you hear me?
Time works many changes-and !
shall return"
And, so saying, he left her.
But she never hoped for his return
She never expected it.
The last of the warm days had
flown, the autumn afternoons were
growing Short Laura worked on,
leading her own solitary life.
She had resigned herself to the
solitude in which she seemed to have
been abandoned. Her pencil never
faltered In these days. But the hand
that welded it had grown thin and
white, and the blue veins showed like
delicate tracery under the transpar.
ent skin.
She was coming home late one dark
afternoon, when, in the gloom-filled
landing before her door, she made
out an indistinct form. 1t did not
move at her approach, and only when
she had thrown open the door did she
recognize who it was.
Then she staggered back a little
"You see, have come back-as
told you l would" said Varian.
In the stronger light of the room
he saw how changed she was and how
she trembled.
'Iaura-my poor grill"
Even then she strove to push him
from her.
GOOD heaven, Laura" he cried,
stepping back; do you not know
that Elsa Hart is married."
"Marriedm
He drew folded paper from his
POCKET.
"You see, she was married two
weeks ago, and to fellow l happen
to know, a clever young artist. rising
in his profession, who spent his sum.
mer sketching on her grandfathers
farm. Now, Laura, will you come
to me?"
'Oh, how could she, how could
She"
Forget me so soon?" laughed
Varian. pardon me, dearest, but l
think you rather overrated the depth
of her feelings She liked me no bet
ter than she would have liked many
other men who happened to be little
kind or attentive to her. She is =
dear, sweet little woman, but"--he
broke off impatiently- why should
we talk of her? You have not yet
answered question l once put TO
you"
What question:" The girls eyes
would not meet his.
II asked you once if you cared for
me-a little"
Then, indeed her gray eyes met
his with the full glance of the Laura
OF old.
II Think have always cared
from the flrst-more than a little"
she said. Washington Post
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
THE JONES DICTIONARY.
sIaria and Jeptha Indulge in a Little
Learning.

uaria and Jeptha Indulge in a Little
Learning.
"Jeptha," asked Mrs. Jones, ssare
We going to the Worlds Fair?"
MARIA" said Mr.. Jones with
smile that was spoony and idiotic,
''the worlds fair is here and now"
What do you know?" inquired
Mrs. Jones shortly for she had an
idea that Jones was poking fun at
her.
ooh, it's joke. You see Pm get
ting to be humorist." cackled
Jones.
Eyes, an ill-humor-ist," snapped
bis wife; "why don't you answer me
about the worlds fair?"
Ppm not contradicting you.
think the worlds fair myself. Now,
Maria, try something harder.
really don't care picayune about
the Worlds or any other fair, except
your own self"
Maria's lips curled and she stopped
sewing and it looked stormy for
Jeptha, but another idea had entered
the good woman's head and crowded
out all Others. After thinking
spell she asked:
''Jeptha, what is picayune?"
"a picayune?" echoed Jones
startled, why, it's a-a-why, Maria,
any child can tell you what a plea
yune is
Eyes, l suppose So but Pm asking
you now, Jeptha"
"Well, a picayune is a piece Of
money"
"But how much is that, and why
are people always saying they don't
care picayune, the way you did Just
now. l like to know something
about what l do know, so that Pm
sure know it."
Exactly. It's very good plan.
but now if / should tell you what a
picayune is, and give you its history,
you'd forget it by tomorrow night
But if you look it up in the dictionary
you'll never forget it-see?"
"Well, there's one thing" retorted
Mrs. Jones, II may not get to the
Worlds Fair, but you'll never hear
me using words that don't know the
sense of-not much"
The next morning at breakfast
Mrs. Jones Informed Jeptha that she
didn't care a six-and-a-quarter cents
whether she went to the Worlds Fair
or not, and he said she was right, he'd
walk Spanish if he cared picayune
either He had been at the dictionary
ton
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
AN OPEN LETTER.

q writer's realistic
Won't you, just TO please friend,
DA not 30 pessimistic
In the way your stories end2
And can't YOU now and then contriye
To let the lovers wed,
Nor have the heroine arrive
To find the hero dead2
The fair appearing things Of life
Are not forever bad;
And even in this vale of strife
Are moments that are glad.
o. can't you to your word OF doubt
Admit little flash
OF sunshine now and then, without
It's going all to smash2
Quit blasting every happy bud;
Quit clouding every hour.
Quit smearing all our gods with mud,
Quit making sweet things souri,
We're tired Of repiners who
Embitter everv cup.
Ring off We bilious winners, do
For PHYS sake let upl
-EIoe Press
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
The Ravases Of the noolsworm.

One Of the greatest plaguee with
which the Librarian ha' 20 deal Is a
little insect called Auglossa plnguin-
ais, which deposits It's larye In books
IN the autumn. These produce a
mite which does great deal OF mis-.
chief Small Wondering beetles
also cause much destruction among
the covers and bindings The best
preventive Is the use OF mineral salts
Ia the binding Where this has not
been done the hook shelves should De
spflukled with powdered alum aud
peppog and che no ksshnuli be rubbed
once or twice q year With a piece
" cloth that has been ttoopcd ln a
ulutluu of aIum and lrlfd THIS
sill efociul'I pf0yeut tho ayagts
"a Che lQnAWnrm
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
Musical Therapeutics.

A guild has been formed in London
for the purpose of propagating and
putting into practice its idea that
music has a greaU mission before it in
the curing Of certain diseases The
system is being introduced into
French hospitals, under the name Of
"Musico Therapeutics. According
to DR.. Blackmann, who is the lead
ing spirit in the new departure,
violins have the highest therapeutic
value, the harp coming next, while
tenors should sing TO female patients,
and sopranos to males. 1t is sug-
gested that DR.. Blackmann should
pursue the natural development OF
this new school Of the healing art and
classify the composers, as a patient
needing the exhibition" OF HAYDN
might be seriously affected by a
course OF Wagner
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01
An OveVgIfted Monkey.

Jack is the name of q monkey that
New Yorker owned for five years
and has recently given 20 the men.
agerie In Central Park. JACK used
to have excellent manners, and. as
monkeys GO was a gentleman. He
had a good home and never stared
out after dark. The complaint
against him was that he Hooded
the lower floors OF the house and
ruined several hundred dollarss worth
OF furniture Ills master le(h bim
one daY In charge OF the anarTtnts
aud Jack took a bath lie nrgbi "
turn OF the water and the tub ian
over Moreover, he sealded himself
aud did not look even respectable
aftefwatd The master returned IA
time 81 catch him IA the act Of wip.
MS himself With crash towel
uolug demonstrated Wlth he Appeared
pcuitenk lut IL less than au hour
Nas in tront q Z mlfruh razor in
band tfflns "a shave 90 th mus.
Acba iafs simplT hadgta 81
itafe Waa pa living Ntth lhlm aitcr
hsk Aas Nofs fHtuaa
Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-04-01

OF the bog into which she had dropped
from the claws Of the hawk, the dazed
chick was slowly and painfully
hopping back through the swamp &c
the maternal roOst
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28

The Commercial Advertiser, how
ever, failed 70 bring cut the point that
this exhibit teaches. hut its lost opeor-
tanSy was caught ON" to by the
Springfield fGass.) Morning Union.
which showed that the decrease in the
dividends Of the New York banks is
due to the protective policy Of the Nc
kinley tariff, which checks imports.
and that Iii Is the foreign trade that
must most largely determine the amount
Of business transacted BY the banks of
the commercial metropolis
On the other hand, The Union points
out that the policy of protection has
enabled the erection of manufacturing
Industries throughout other parts of the
country, the better use of money, and
consequently larger dividends there,
with a corresponding decrease Of i'm
ports and dividends at New York, say
ing that 1.-THE expansion and develop
ment of our industries are more advan-
tageous to the larger area of the country
than they are TO the state or city Of New
York alone"
Naturally enough, when bankers sec
diminishing dividends. they intend g
make some effort to check the decrease.
and. as The Union says. "here may be
found the reason why the bankers of
New York are SO anxious for the repeal
OF the Mc44h.ley t.s.-f. Knowing as
We do how the country prospered else
where as long rs protcr,ion was assured.
II is not srrl'l IGg there should IN
change "a u le!a : bank car ..s,r,
IN and out # W York. I'll :.1,
assigned. too. SONS plausible Z ou.,h,
Judging by lesults.-American Eccno-
mist.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28

Look at the result in our national rev.
enue. Urder the alleged unconstitu.
tional Mckinley tariff last year, our
customs duties contributed only $178,-
097, go toward revenue, but under q
tariff for revenue only we shall have
what it implies, tariff that will con-
tribute to the revenue to the extent Of
$270, 203, 900, nearly 800, 900, 900 more
than the unconstitutional Mckinley
tariff. This is the only proper method,
say the Democrats. 1t will build mp
. our national revenue as it was intended
and we shall hear nothing more Of Q
contemplated deficiency Of $50, 900, 900
before the end of the year. But the
poor people will have to pay 800, 000,-
900 more in taxes under the free trade
tariff for revenue only system of the
Democratic party.
If Mr.. Wilson and his colleagues had
previously been in doubt as to the
course they should pursue, as is indi-
Gated by dispatches from Washington,
let them study the situation as here set
forth. Nothing could be- palmer.
There is no mystery about it. Every
body will understand it now. Let
Us hear no more of the word protection
from West Virginia or elsewhere. Pro-
lection is unconstitutional. says the
Democratic creed. The people deci ed
So last November. Mr.. Wilson can,
in day. draw mp simple bill Of q
single paragraph to repeal the existing
protection and to fix the tariff for rev
ea0s only at rs per cent or SO per cent.
ss the revenue may need. Then the
constitution viii be INDICATED, The
poor people viii pay more taxes and
cara les waSss under the exsensioa Of
y Democratic theory
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28
FLOWER s0eessnftoNs

pSssSsnss Baxemeserx Foe DsSsnsAe sAe
Depths on Their S~eetaeas<sr Love
Nss singular 70 see how many mean
sngaess ceremonies are now pcacieea by
young women -cerenoaies wAicA were
formerly used in earnest as love charms
ceSncansstsons. Most OF these have an an,
atory origin, and in connection with not
tewcertain flowers aroused, presumably
90 . means Of foceeelhng the Future. In
several parts Of New England when q
young lady expects visit from her lover
she win pluck a marigold, take it in her
hand when he arrives and carry it until
the end OF his visit, when from its fresh
or faded condition she viii judge Of the
strength Of his affection.
A German girl after having been
called on by her lover. viii put star
flower or dandelion in water and leave it
there until his next visit, drawing an
omen from its condition. while Spanish
maiden win take q moss rosebud, wear
&c ON her breast, and If il expands 10 be-
come q perfect flower the omen is con-
sidered exceedingly fortunate. A super.
stition Of the same kind Is shown by the
East Indian maiden who places poppy
In her hair. In England the primrose is
used for the same purpose, and in coun.
Try districts OF New England tne spikes
Of the nib wort plsntain are tak,,a,
wrapped In dock leaves, placed ben
. stone. and IL the next day signs o.
buds appear the omen is consi
happy.
In France young ladies deSC
ascertaining the extent of a love-. -
tion take the common daisy and pui.
Ats leaves one by one. with the quest
"Does he love mel Does he love
httlss Does he love me muchg Docs
love me with all his souly" Margaer
In 'Faust" uses the common blue bot,
with similar questions. In England
ash leaf Is sometimes employed to asce.
tain the faithfulness Of an absent lover.
and the Irish maiden learns Of her future
BY putting shamrock in her shoe. after
which she walks abroad. and the first
man she meets or one Of his name win Be
her husband.-New York Advertiser.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28

to the English metropolis ssfor their
greater safety" and there professed her.
self a starcher. The best housewives of
the time were not long in discovering
the excellent whiteness of the '.Dutch
linen," as it was called, and Mistress
Plasse soon had plenty of good paying
clients. Some of these began to send
her rufus of lawn to starch, which she
did so excellently well that it became a
saying that if any one sent her ruff
made of spiders web she would be
able to starch it. So greatly did her
reputation grow that fashionable DANES
went to her to learn the art and mystery
of starching, for which they gladly paid
a premium of Ga or e5, and for the Sc
cret of seething starch they paid gladly
afarther sum of 90 shillings. New York
World, -
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28
ipEscRlBE YOUR FRIEND.
And Then See How Well Your Picture VIII
Fit Scores of Others.

And Then See How Well Your Picture win
Fit Scores of Others.
''He Was q young man and fairly good
looking; smooth face and without
glasses; wore dark suit; was about 8
feet in height and looked like married
man. Anybody would know him." Such
was the description turned in by a young
woman who slipped quietly into the city
editors Office and wanted to advertise
for Chalmers. Itappeared that Chalmers
had left home, and nobody knew why,
and this young woman had faith that
her recital of his personal traits would
bring him back. 1t was good example
Of the average persons power of descrip-
ton of fellow beipSs
1t is totally inadequatel Though man
be fearfully and wonderfully made,
there seems to be an unaccountable in
ability in nine persons out of every ten
to give creditable word picture of any
one whom they have seen. Because we
understand the looks of person when
we meet them, it never occurs to the
mind that other people TO not grasp a
thorough idea of his appearance with a
few passing phrases of description.
Your friend comes in, and you ex-
pound to him that such and such a man
has just called for him, but almost in
variably your exposition is jumbled lot
Of phrases which apply to the human
race in general.
The other day when rushed into my
office room with a column story on the
end Of my tongue-or at the tip Of my
pen, to be more accurate-I was given
this greeting:
"Hellol Amar has just been in to see
you"
"What did he look hkeg"
"Oh, he was q good looking fellow
not very tall, rather heavy, but not too
much So"
"was he old or yoangss
"Aboat 20 or IS, I,should say"
"What color Of hairs"
~ don't remember now, However, l.
don't think he had a m0staehe,"
"Aow dresSeasN
~oA, just sa ordinary business suit"
Have you ever heard such a deSeyip-
tseas II not, waseh yourself next tiESe
yen tell OF some ones CALL IoN Will be
surprised to faa that yeNr description
weala lit almost any aesaNer Of The
ANAaSA NaeA
Why IS it,
l&sa1 Saew> We read IN NaakS tN,s&
it's because We &ea1 esslSSVat& SEse &S&9 sG
ef Satel&Seat observation
There was eSeS a boy wAo (e&Saea
kew 10 describe what As saw EV2Sy
sRSssSag be Yves sent by Ass fas&s& n
walk sssSa(S by a. esaSs&SSS &sE&q< Us
Ws&SseW, and then afSsSwST3 10 sSg,ss
10 ASsa all the As&gs he saw at tbs Ssss
gssAee at the pSaeSasaS ana - &esosS Z
Aes& AT Ssst the lad esSs2 Ts@ssaAsS
Sat Few AS&gs that his eye may have
eaagAs IN the eaSSSag glance SStSa Ssae
he eSelS remember Saaest eSeCytASSS
N a show window by seereS seeing IL
oaees-Bostoa EegsaA
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1893-12-28
Tn Frozen Russia.

In Russia, where the cold is very In
tense, the, markets are very curious
things. The meat is frozen; the carcases
of dead animals, as sheep and pigs, stand
upright outside the stalls; everything,
even game and poultry, requires to be
thawed before it can be cooked. and the
market peoples dress is as picturesque
as i. is warm and comfortable.
Then the rivers are frozen over all the
winter long, and so thick is the ice that
every one can skate, anywhere and any
time. Stalls are put up on the ice and
busy markets held there.
In the Asiatic part of Russia the PEG
pie live chiefly by hunting and fishing,
and the fur of the Russian animals is
very beautiful-the ermine, fox, sable,
sea otter and others.
At the end of the winter, when the
snow melts, the huntsman pursues the
elk. wearing long shoes, in which he
can glide over the snow very quickly,
while the poor elk sinks into the snow
deeper and deeper every step and Is at
last overtaken and killed.-Good Words.