davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
THE WEIGHT OF A TON.
Attorney Thomas, Of Washington, En-
 IiChtens the District.

Attorney Thomas, of Washington, En-
 IGhtens the District.
 In the last district appropriation bill there appeared an item allowing 50 cents per ton for the removal of gar bage in steel tanks, says the Washing ton Star. Shortly after the law went into operation Q question arose as to what number of pounds constituted a ton. The contractors claimed that 2,000 pounds was the legal ton and made returns on that basis. The first auditor, however, was not disposed to pass the account until the commission CTS explained the definition of the word ton"
 Attorney Thomas was called upon to give his opinion of the matter and re- turned the papers with the following opinion:
 ''The act does not specify the num- Der of pounds which shall compose ton and hence we must go outside for definition. Among other definitions of the word ton given by Webster is the following: The weight of twenty hundred gross or 2.240 pounds. In the United States the ton is commonly esti- mated at 2,00O pounds; this is some times called the short ton.' The law in relation to the collection of duties on imports prescribes that whenever the word ton is used in reference to weighing bulky articles in custom houses, it shall be construed to mean twenty hundred weight, each hundred weight being 112 pounds avoirdupois, but this section throws no light on the question, since but for the statute 2,000 pounds might have been consid cred by custom-house officials as ton. Nor would there seem to be any prac- tice in the district amounting to usage, since by an ordinance of the late cor poration of Washington in regard to the sale of coal, 2,240 pounds is fixed as a ton, while section 1,190 of the dis trict revised statutes makes 2,000 pounds of hay or straw ton. Tn the absence of definition of the word ton in the act of March 3, 1893, no special importance is to be attached to section 2,951 of the revised statutes, in regard to the collection of duties, making 2,240 pou nds ton, as showing what congress intended by the use of that word in the act of March 3, 1893. For these reasons my opinion is that 2,000 pounds is to be taken as ton in weighing garbage under the act of 1S93 g
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
prNEO WELL WITHOUT COST.
The Trick " Winch a Mcncylcss scamI swindled a Washington Rcstaurateur.

The Trick " Winch a Mcncylcss ScamI
 swindlet a Washington Ecstaurateur.
 An unp rincipled scamp recently played a game upon a Washington restaurateur that for originality anc effectiveness hae -ot been matched in any of ..-6 ,lme-honored stories of Beau Hickman or any other eaters of din ners, you foot the bills" He was we'll dressed, gentlemanly-appear ing person-any other would not have secured much attention in the cafe which he work ed--and he ordered dinner that proclaimed him an epicure, if a scoundrel. He commenced, says the Post, by tipping the waiter lib orally, which alone would proclaim him one accustomed to secure the best of attention; and as for wines, he would have none but the best vintages, which he picked with the taste of a connoisseur. The dinner was prepared to the king's taste and appeared to that point he uttered an exclamation of horror, and beckoned frantically to the waiter. That functionary not be- ing sufficient to vent his wrath upon, he summoned the head waiter, and eventually the proprietor. Then he pointed out the cause of trouble-a dead fly in the dessert. Words could not express his well-feigned disgust, or the regret of the proprietor at this unfortunate occurrence. The cook was called up and ''roasted' more effect ually than he ever did his meats, and the restaurateur offered every amend in his power. But the guest professed to be almost overcome with nausea, and could not eat any more-he had proba. bly, had all he wanted. Of course the proprietor could not think of charging for such on unfortunate meal, and was only too thankful that the matter should escape the attention of the other guests. But when the disgusted guest had gone a bystander, who had watched the occurrence, remarked to the proprietor: ''Ehy, didn't you see him put that fly in the desscrt?" And the subsequent conversation was unfit for publication.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
POWERFUL WAVES.
The Effect of Galc Over the Great Salt
 Lake.

The Effect of a Gaic Over the Great Salt Lake.
 A correspondent of the Youths Com panion recently witnessed a most con- vincing proof of the weight of salt laden waters of the Great Salt lake, A strong gale of wind was blowing over the lake and driving it's surface into low, white-capped ridges, while along the shore the foam lay like flat banks of new-fallen snow. If if had passed across a lake of fresh water of equal extent that wind would unGues- tionably have produced such an agita- tion of it's surface that navigation in small boats would have been difficult if not highly perilous.
 But the waters of the Great Salt lake, although driven into ridges as just remarked, showed a curious re- sistance to the wind and the waves, rising to only slight elevation, moved along with an appearance of lethargy that the eye could not but notice.
 Yet there was an immense momen- tum stored up in those low, heavy, slow-moving waves. Venturlng into the water at point where the depth did not exceed four feet the observer found that it was impossible to stand against them. Their sheer weight swept him resistlessly along.
 The curious buoyance of the water, containing twenty-two per cent of salt in solution, increased the helpless ness of the bather. He was not sub merged, as sometimes occurs in the Atlantic breakers, but was lifted and carried like cork.
 It would probably have been impos- sible to dive through an oncoming wave after the manner practiced by bathers along the Atlantic coast. In the Great Salt lake people are not drowned through sinking, but stran- gled while still afloat The bitter water may enter the air passages with fatal effect, but the body continues to float until it reaches the shore or is picked up.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
A ZONE RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Results in Tripling the Passenger Busi- ness in Hungary.

Results in Tripling the Passenger Busi- ness in Hungary.
 A remarkable revolution in railway travelling was brought about in Hun gary some years ago by the introdic- tion of cheap fares and the zone sys- tenn, says the London News. The fares were lowered from about 40 to so per cent, and the country divided into zones, having Buda-Pesth as their cen- ter. The first zone is fifteen miles broad, the second to the twelfth are each nine miles, the twelfth and thir- teenth fifteen miles, and the fourteenth includes all the rest of the country. The fare for each zone is Tod. first class, Sd. second and 5d third; while the rates are reduced one-half for parties of workmen.
 What the new system has accom- plished is shown by a report just issued by the Hungarian government, dealing with the working of the state railways for the years 1891 and 1892. From 9,000,0 passengers carried in 1888, the year previous to the introduction of the zone system, the number has risen to over 20,500. .010, an increase of PIG per cent. This result is almost entire ly due to the new system, the augment ation being six times greater than on the Austrian railways during the same period.
 The receipts have improved to the extent of 40 per cent. The third-class carriages were abolished last year on express trains running beyond the short distances. The growth of the traffic in the first zone by the ordinary trains has been as much as G27 per cent, mostly in the thirl-class. It is noteworthy that the first and four teenth zones, or the shortest and long, est distances, give the largest results, both in the number of persons carried and in the receipts.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
MISSOURI SNAKE CATCIERS.
A Queer Industry Carried Or
 Along the Mississippi.
The Reptiles ForsaIse the Low Lands In the Fall and Seek the Bluffs, Where They Hibernate
 Through Winter.

The cool fall weather affords the careful observer fine opportunity for noting one of the curious things in nature-the migration Of snakes, says the Alton correspondent of the St. Louis Republic. These reptiles look up their winter quarters, and these quarters in this vicinity may be found in the bluffs which line the river bank above the city. All the snakes which spend the summer in the bottom lands of Missouri point, just opposite, make their way across the river to the bluffs, where they hibernate until the gentle breezes of spring thaw them out, when they slip down the shale and debris which underlie the bluffs and again seek the lowlands.
 The crossing of the river is a very simple matter for them. They simply swim over, and many are killed by fishermen while making this crossing. An old resident of the bluffs above this city states that he has seen the time in November when the river could not be crossed in a sl1iff, especial ly in the middle of the day when it was warInest, without at least a dozen snakes being seen swimming for the bluffs, and he has frequently killed a half dozen rattlesnakes with an oar while going to and from Alton.
 A hunter along these bluffs lately saw an old man who appeared to be looking very intently at the water with a field-glass, and, curious to dis cover what it meant, joined him at the edge of the water. The man had with him besides the feld-glass a heavy sack and curious pair of long wooden tongs, and in answer to questions said he was snake catcher, watching the surface of the water the while.
 Presently he sighted a snake swim ming for shore short distance above where he was standing, and proceeded to meet him with his tongs, with which he picked up the snake as he landed. Itproved to be a black snake, and was dropped into the sack without further ado. During the next hour he caught two water snakes, garter snake and Q spreading adder. The last he put in his sack and turned out the others, saying that they were mo good"
 The old man had grown quite friend ly by this time, and a visit, by invita- tion, was paid to his cabin boat, in the back room of which he had corraled over fifty live and hissing snakes, which he said he sold to party in St. Louis, who resold them to others for different purposes. The trick of catch ing them he had learned when a boy from Indians, who would come down to the bluffs and catch rattlesnal1es as they crossed the river. These Indians used to catch them with boats, and sold them to a man at the fort. lie had learned something that the In dians did not know, however, and that is that a man can catch more snakes along the shore with half the work.
 Snake catching is followed every fall of the year here by number of men who appear to find recreation, excite ment and profit in the occupation, while at the same time they are rid ding the neighborhood of some very undesirable visitors and thus con- ferring benefit on their fellowman
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
Points in Palmistry.

An interesting discussion has sprung up among the palmists in regard to the line of the hand known as the mar r;age line. One recognized authority says that when this line curves upward the possessor is not likely to marry at all. Other experts say they know many married and happy people with such a line. It is also alleged that the transverse line on the ''hill of Mer- cury." which one party says is the mar riage line, is not so considered by the ChirologicaI society. Our opinion" says the editor of the party organ, ''is that these lines are signs of attach ment, and there is scarcely a hand ever seen without at least one in the hand of either married or unmarried people,"
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
Colrmbtn Rirer Nariration.

The few steamboat men on the upper Columbia rlver in eastern Washington and others acquainted with the stream, express grave doubts of its ever be, coming 8 safe and certain highway although enthusiastic residents of that region count much on it's utilization as a means of transportation for the de velopmcnt of the country. The princi- pie trouble is in its cratic changes o1 course, its rise and fall, and it's shift ing banks. The boats of the one com. pany navigating the river between Wenatchee and the Olzanogan river are constantly meeting with mishaps owing to the difficulties of navigation Three were laid up in one week last month.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
Lananeso Emigration.

The Japanese, who so long remained true to their beautiful islands, have now begun to follow the example of the Chinese and emigrate in com paratively large numbers. The gov ernment, according to GlobuS, looks with favor on this change in the customs of the people and encourages it as much as possible. Last year, ac- cording to the statistics recently com piled. twenty-four thousand men and eighteen thousand women left Japan to find homes for themselves abroad Most of them went to. Hawaii and Australia and few to Canada and to this country. in Australia the Japa- nese, the journal says, easily find em- ployment, and are fast superseding the natives in the plantations about Cairns, Dungeness and Mackay. They accustom themselves quickly to the new manners of life, learn the language readily, and work diligently. Many Australians already prefer them to the Chinese as house servants, gar deners, and coachmen.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
DULL TIMES IN ENGLAND.
British Exports and Imports Have Fallen
 OH Heavily This Year.

An English paper, the Manchester Union, gives this synopsis of trade con- ditions:
 England has suffered from dull times, as have France, Germany and other European countries, without regard to their tariff policies. The aggregate loss in the export trade this year, as compared with the first nine months of 1892, is given at almost $50 ,O0O, GOO. But the falling off in imports is much greater still, amounting to $75, 1000, 600, showing that dull times had prevented the British from buying since they could not sell. This falling off in Brit ish imports by S75,0OO,OOO in nine months gives one good reason why wheat is but little above 60 cents bushel in Chicago. The exports of British coal fell off $1O,O0O, 900 in the first nine months of this year as compared with the year before. In cotton yarns Che export dimin- ished by over 25,0OO,0OO pounds and in cotton piece goods by 0,O0O, GOO yards, as compared with the exports in 1892. While this shows a heavy i'm mediate loss to manufacturers and to labor, it is indicative, however, of de- creased stocks of cOttons in purchasing countries, unless other manufacturing countries have met the deficiency in the English trade, which does not ap- pear reasonable in face of the large stocks of raw cotton that are available. In textile fabrics tho exports decreased by nearly S1O,O0O,OOO, and in woollen and worsted yarns by nearly 8, 3,OOO, ,OOO, and in wooilen goods by s, 5O0, ,OO0. Metal goods, hardware and cutlery all fell off in quantity and value; tin plate exports decreased by nearly S5OO,OOO, smaller purchases by the United States representing the full amount of the decline. The exports O: manufactures in iron and steel repre- sent loss of Sl, ,000 O00; of machinery the same amount; articles of wearing apparel, shop goods and articles for personal use decreased to the extent of S4,000, ,000, with smaller losses in ex- ports of glass, cement and paper. The export trade in earthen ware and oils increased somewhat
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
BRuIN WAS KNOWING AND BOLD.
It Was Against Orders to Shoot, So He
 Raided the Soldiers Camp Nightly

It Was Against Orders to Shoot, So He
 Raided the Soldiers Camp Nightly.
 "When I was in Yellowstone Park this summer" said a Wyoming Valley man, lone of the gamekeepers told me about a bear that worried camp of government soldiers almost to despera- tiOn for several weeks. Late one night a bear waddled into camp, ripped open a tent, put the soldiers to flight, got what he wanted to eat, and went away The next night the bear came around again, smashed down a tent and stole a smoked ham. Under the park rules the soldiers were prohibited from fir ing at the thievish brute, as well as from jabbing bayonet into him, and the only thing they could do when the bear appeared and went to helping himself to rations was to get out of his way. Night after night the bold beast made raid on the camp and ruined a tent or two. My informant said that the bear acted as if he knew that the soldiers daren't fire at him, and that on each visit he became more saucy and destructive than before. When the bears raids had become unbeara- ble the commandant sent the facts to the secretary of the interior and asked what to do. Word came back to shoot the bear, and that night, when bruin strode boldly into camp, the soldiers put an end to his career by riddling him with bullets"
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
R DOLLARS
 70 PER DAY 2U Easily Made.

We want many men, women, boys, and girls to work for US few hours daily, right in and around their own homes. The business is easy, pleasant, strictly honorable, and pays better than any other offered agents. You have clear field and no competition Experience and special ability un- necessary. No capital required. We equip you with everything that you need, treat you well, and help you to earn ten times ordinary wages. Women do as well as men, and boys and girls make good pay. Any one, anywhere, can do the work. All succeed who follow our plain and sim pie directions. Earnest work will surely bring you great deal of money Everything is new and in great demand. Write for our pamphlet circular, and receive full information. No harm done if you conclude not to go on with the business.
 GEORGE STlNSoN & Co.,,
 Box 488,
 PORTLAND, EsAlNEs
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
\ Novel IndustrY.

On the island Of St. George, one of the Pribylov group in Behring sea, the breeding of blue foxes has become very profitable. They generate very rapidly, and when an island of good size once becomes well stocked it is impossible to deplete it, as the law provides that they must not be shot, but trapped. the restriction being imposed mainly to keep them tame.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23

Or, HENRY 6'. GRIERSON,
 Immigration Agent, A., T. & s F. R. R.
 623 Rialto Building, Chicago, III. This railway passes through twelve states and territories, and having no lands of its own sell has no object in advancing the interests of any speci al locality, or in giving any other than al . sOlut ely reliable information. It realizes tha t tine prosperity of the farmers of the great south west means prosperity to itself also, and is thus naturally willing to aid the immigrant as much as possible.
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
CATTLE BRANDS.

Ear marks Clean split from root to point left car, upperbit in right ear Wattle (varuga) on jaw, under mouth. c on left jaw (cheek) bulls C on left cheek only. Flooded stock c on left cheek and C on leftribs.s
 HENRY HUNING Post office: Show Low, Arizona.s .~ccRange: Show Low creek, Silver creek, Laguna Ortega and Laguna Salada. Horse brand c C left shoulders
The St. Johns herald., 1894-08-23
Apply for Information About THE GREAT
 SOUTHWEST

Where Ss ser @ F2o%H ne9d GO snG RS 3 can be duplicated today for $50 per acre. Where on s 4ns %n G oWn oo on hf nG ba IdP of which can be bought for $I5 per acre. Where %any Shs5 sgG9 y aS yeEgee bles netted as large and larger profits than fruit. Where he are s9S the enS Tndfgs m6a ria ucheard of.
 Isgtoro there is the best opening in the world sSiiOI C for honest industry.
 To w. F. WHITE, paeeoDoor Tro Hf n MoDooar 1T (, c Y D D
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-06-29

Mr.. Wicker then introduced the speak
err, Rev. Rufus G. Flagg. ID. d., president
of Ripon (Wls.) college. a member of the
class of go. II" took ~ his theme per-
sonality IT, eh5odied ia lhc pronoun "I''.
The primary and chief meaning of the
word, lie said, is personality. 1t implies
not only existence. but also feeling and
selfconsciousness. II further means sep
arateness from all other things as well as
intelligence aud self-determinaton-al
this and more is contained in the word
Il implies. in addition, continuity of eX-
istence from the cradle to the grave and
on through and beyond the darkness
of the grave. 1t behooves us, therefore,
to see to it that this constant presence is
worthy. What we mean when we say
"T' determines very largely what the
outward world shall be to us. "What we
see is our soul in things, says writer.
We see everything through the medium
of our personality, and If our spiritual
or physical vision be imperfect, the out
ward world will be distorted. In other
words, every one is gauging the universe
by himself. OF course in the same way
do we assimilate what goes to make up
character; only the true can see truth
In every relationship into which we enter
there are necessarily two elements, the
more important of which by far is our
own personality. OF late sociology has
given place to theology. and the indivld-
ual is being lost sight of i'm the work for
the mass. But the unit must first receive
attention or the renovation of society
cannot be effected. Another thing should
not he lost sight of in this connection
the improvability Of personality, which
may come, first, through growth: sec
Ond. through refinement or culture, and
third, through better balancing of the
faculties. 1t is sometimes said that we
all live in the same world, but this is not
true each lives in the world which he is
able to see and to appreciate. Wealth and
position mean nothing without personal
itv and character back of them. SO no
time. however long and laboriouS. is lost
if spent in making the most of ourselves.
Prayer by Or. Flagg, the singing by
the choir of the hymn. Come. holy spir-
it, come, aud the benedction brought
the service to n close.
Concluded M list page.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-06-29

DR.. NJ. J. Davis is IA prominent physl-
clan of Lewis. Cass county. Iowa. and
has been actively engaged in the prac-
tice of medicine at that place for the
past thirty-tive years. On the 10Th of
May. while i'm Des Moines en- route to
Chicago. he was suddenly taken with an
attack of darrhHa. Having sold Cham
berlain'S Collie. Cholera aud Diarrhga
Remedy for the past seventeen years,
and knowing its reliability, he procured
a % cent bottle. two doses of which
completely cured him. The excitement
and change of water and diet incident 10
travelling often produce II diarrilpa.
Every one should procure bottle of
this remedy before leaving home. For
sale by w. II. Sheldon, Middlebury, and
Dyer & Co., West Salisbury, Vt.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-06-29
No. 174.-A Biblical Acrostio.

The row of six, "A governor of Egypt. The
row of six, Jewess who risled her life for
her people. The third row, rock on which
the 600 Benjamites who escaped the slaugh-
ter of Gibeah took refuge. The fourth
row, wise and good king who reigned
over Judah 50 years. The fifth row, of sew
en-, Il king who obtained an answer to his
prayer. The sixth, of seven, prince who
raised a rebellion against his father. The
seventh, a mountain range in Palestine
The eighth. of six, him from whom the
father of all the Jews bought a cave. The
ninth, of eight, one who was instrumental
III saving his own people from destruction
during the reign of XerXes.
The primals name IA city unparalleled in
the annals of history for it's dIstresses, ca
lamities and slaughter.
Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-06-29
Riddles Solved.

What would pig do who wished to build
himself "A habitation? Tie knot in his
tail and call it Il pg's-tie.
In what sort of syllables ought a parrot
to be taught to speak? In polly sylly- bills.
What sort of sympathy would yoa rather
be without? You don't want to be pitted
by the smallpox.
Why is the root of the tongue like de-
jected MANI Because it's down in the
mouth.
What's the difference between cake and
wine? One is sometimes tipsy, but the
other is always drunk.