davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

| GOING DOWN THE CRUST ''STRADDLE."
lisions with sleighs and foot passengers
is obvious. The roll of its victims, as
published from day to day in the north
ern newspapers, some winters is long
and appalling. The length of this roll
is contributed to by the use of the "dead-
ly bob," a clumsy contrivance fit only
| for short, uncrowded inclines.
The best coasting country is not too
broken. The hills must not be too high
ritory must be of the sort that is called
rolling" and the slopes must be long
as well as comparatively gentle, so that
ride of mile or more may be enjoyed.
Given such territory, plenty of boys and
girls and a good winter, and riding
down hill" will flourish to the enjoyment
of everybody, the deepening of chests,
the painting of cheeks, the frightening
Of eyes and the hardening of muscles.
In fine, there is no doubt that it is as
beneficial as it is thrilling.
The unparalleled six weeks Of skating
that were vouchsafed to the youngsters
and their elders who inhabited the vii
lage called The Hook during the win
ter of 1867 were followed by a full
month of such excellent conditions for
coaching as brought into being craze
only less pronounced and widespread
than that which was manifested ON the
ice. The snow fell to the depth of about
two feet at first. Every day it thawed
just a little, and once or twice week an
inch or two of fresh snow fell. The
winter winds that year were singularly
mild on6 tho 6riffS
ly easy to manage. There were two
favorite rides that winter. One was
down the long, easy ''west hill" road and
the other across the fields and down the
sleeper north hill"
The west hill road led from the village
to a woods surrounded plateau, wherein
dwelt half a dozen families only. Be
cause these inhabitants were SO few the
traffic over the road was small and the
danger from collision between sleds and
sleighs and cutters slight The road had
no long, precipitous reaches, no short
sharp turns, no high and dangerous
banks on it's lower side for careless
steersmen to run off and break their
necks or their arms or their legs. 1t was
a good mile and half long, gently slop-
ing most of the way, but with an Occa-
sional pitch" to lend excitement, two or
three curves that rendered good steering
desirable and about dozen of those
water turner's that are commonly
called "thank we, ma ANS" If you have
ever rode down hill in q good coasting
country, you will understand just what
the west hill was like.
North hill had no road. 1t was not
available as riding place most years,
for generally the high winds swept it
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
A Beautiful DaWning.
Light Sprung From the
Darkness.
A Grand Awaking Which Shall Last
Forever.
A Brighter Outlook Than the World Has
Ever Before Known.

Changes are constantly taking place
which tend to make the world happier and
to cause a feeling of Joy and contentment
to prevade our lives. One of the greatest
blessings which has fallen to mankind and
which is indeed the iawning of a new era
of life, has just taken place in the we'll
known family of Mrs Albert Blanchard, re-
siding at 356 Webster avenue, Chicago, Ill.
She writes the following interesting letter ::
"My health has been very poor for
several years. would have sinking spells
and was so weak that could not hold my
hand up to my head. I would have to lie
down on the sofa and was so very nervous
that I could not sleep nights.
my stomach troubled me all the time
and my food distressed me SO that l was
afraid to eat had chills most of the
time and sometime chills and fever with
trembling and shaking. l was also
troubled with catarrh.
II was so dizzy at times that I nearly
fell; I would grab at the chair, and dark
spots appeared before my eyes. 1could not
begin to tell how 1 suffered. was so sick
1 did not enjoy life and was told that 1
would not live long.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

nearly bare of snow, which was piled in
high drifts around the stumps and the
fences. This winter the snow lay still,
and each days sun would melt the top q
little, which would freeze at night, and
in time the beautiful, white, smooth ex-
panse was covered with o crust strong
enough to bear a man and even a horse,
and over which good sled would glide
with such q speed as to take away the
breath of an inexperienced rider. The
farm owners kindly consented to have
few lengths of fence taken down so asto
give the pleasure seekers full swing, and
a ride of about half a mile over the
crust, which terminated at the pond
was secured that was far more exciting
than the ride down west hill, though not
so prolonged.
There were no deadly hobs" in The
Hook. There were to my knowledge
but two "boughten" sleds. The owner
of a gayly painted and fancy sled from
store was jeered at by his companions
as a girl boy" The best sleds were
constructed by the village wagon maker,
and about half of them were "knee
Bleds" and the rest "boards." There was
o great diversity of opinion as to the
proper shape of a sled runner Some
held that it should be low and sharp,
with slight, long curve, others that it
should be high and with rather short
rounding curve.
All agreed, however, that the runner
must be supplemented by good ''shoe,"
and concerning this important point
there was again great diversity of
opinion. Thick cast iron shoes were ia
yorite with those who lived east Of the
millpond; thin, slender steel shoes with
those who lived west. Singularly enough,
though the matter of sled shoes had been
argued every winter for 40 years when
first knew The Hook, it was as far from
settlement as ever when left the place.
Victory would perch on the banner of
the least ironers" after all exciting race
down north hill, only to shift to that Of
the steel contingent the next day after
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
Notice to Contractors.
q. S.Inspec tor of immigration.

Sealed Proposals for the grading of a
portion of the pipe line, between pipe line
bridges and 4, and the building of bank
walls on the pipe line between pipe line
bridge and the Dam, will be received at
the Mayors office, City hall, until O'Clock
p. M, of the 10Th day of January, 1894, at
which hour the bids will be publicly
opened and read.
Bidders are required to state in their
proposals their names and places of resi-
dence Each proposal must be signed by
the bidder and accompanied by a bond of
5000, conditioned for the execution Of the
contract within the time specified in this
notice in case the bid be accept d.
A certified check for 5000, drawn pay
able to the order of the city of Waterbury
will be accepted in place of the sureties
bond if the certificate and bord for that
cas- are properly filed out. Blank forms
for the purpose will be furnished on ap-
plication to the city engineer.
The person OF persons to whom the con
tract may be rewarded will be required to
attend at this Office with suret.es offered
by him or them and execute the contract
within five days from the date of the a,
ward, and in case of failure so to do he or
they will be considered to have abandoned
it and as in default of the city of Water
bury.
The right to decline all the proposals is
reserved, if deemed for the interests of
the city.
The engineers estimate of work and
materials by which the bids will be tested
is as follows,viz:
Three thousand cubic yards of earth ex
cavatien, 2, 500 cubic yards rock excava-
ton, 1000 cubic yards dry rubble re-
tanning wall.
These quantities are only approximate
and given as basis for estimating the bids
Bids must be made on blanks furnished
by the ommittee.
By order of the committee on an addit-
ional water supply.
R. A. CAIRNS, City Engineer.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
Notice to Contractors.
CARTING WATER PIPES.

Sealed proposals addressed to the Com
mittee on an Additional Water Supply
| Waterbury. Conn. for the unloading from
cars and hauling to points on the Pipe Line
| of So inch Cast Iron Pipe will be received by
| the above mentioned Committee" at the May
| Or'S Office, until p. m. January L? 1894, at
which time the bids Willlbe publicly opened
| and read.
Bidders are required to state in their proposals
| their names aud places of residence. E.ch
| proposal must be signed by the bidder and ao-
| Compauied by bond of 500, conditioned for the
execution of the contract within the lime speci-
fed in this notice. in case the bid be accepted
| A certified check for 500, payable to the order
of the city of Waterbury will be accepted i'll
place of the sureties bond, IT the certificate and
bond for that case are properly filled out.
Blank forms for the purpose will be furnished
on application to the city engineer.
The person or persons to whom the contract
may be awarded will be required to attend at
this Office with the sureties offered by him
them, and execute the contract within five DAYS
from the date of notice of such award, and in
case of failure neglect so to do, he they
will be considered to have abandoned it, and as
In default to the city of Waterbury.
The right to decline any or all the proposals is
reserved II deemed for the interest of the city,
The engineers estimate of work and materials
viz:
One thousand tons of Sc inch cast iron pipe
amounting to about 400 pieces The average
haul will be about Ia miles
These quantities are to be considered as only
approximate, and given merely as basis OF
blanks furnished by the Committee
By order OF the Committee on an Additional
Water Supply.
r. A. CAIRNS, City Engineer.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

On equally exciting trial OF speed down
| west hill. twas the general consensus Of
| Hook opinion at the close of that season,
Ibelieve, that the steel shoes were best on
! road work, while the cast ones were bet
ter for crust riding. But the next win
ter the controversy broke out anew with
all its original virulence and intensity.
There were then and still are three
ways of steering a sled-bellygut,
astrid-straddle, Hookers called it
and kurntz. am not sure about the
proper spelling Of this word. which can
only be arrived at when its derivation
has been discovered. It Is not in any
dictionary so far as know, and have
spelled 1t Theoretically. The kurntz steer
er sat on his doubled under left leg,
swung his right leg behind the sled like
a rudder. grasped the roller of his sled
firmly with his left hand and the rear
end of the board with his right. Each
method of steering had Its advocates.
'BellyRut" was least In favor among the
boys because the rider could not see we'll
and was in danger of butting his brains
out, and among the parents because it
was q great deal harder on shoe leather
than the other two methods. 1t was
used very little on either of the long
rides.
"Straddle" steering was safest if more
than one passenger was to be taken on
the sled, but kurntz was the general ia
vorite. It certainly possessed decided
advantages when the steersman was a
sturdy young fellow, booted to the knee,
broad shouldered and deep chested, and
the passenger q star eyed, pink checked,
carmine Tipped Hook girl. The kurntz
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
DREAMING.

The cooling fingers of the twilight lay
A balm upon the fevered ebb of day,
And, languor lulled by dream winged spirits In
their flight
Between the half uncertain hours OF dark and
light,
dream of thee.
Trilled through the silvery sphere of fading
A late bird homeward wings its wearied way;
And. through the wide tranquility of upper
Attunes his vesper note of faroT minstrelsy
To songs of thee.
Far from the west the sentinel of light
Sets the dead affairs of approaching night
Afiame, and paints the ambient skies with
mystic gold,
Whose liquid light reflects the happiness Of old
OF me with thee.
The sky, the air. the sea, the earth, it's flowers,
Lie stepped in magic of the moonlit showers.
And II Far out beyond the waves. where sky
meets sea.
From star to star across the nights tranquil
lily,
come to thee.
The evening winds. distilled from fragrant
flowers,
Pour out their incense on the dew wrapt hours,
And on the still, sweet harmony of sky and sea
stray little space into infnity
To dwoll with thee.
Thus when the fingers of the twilight gray
Pour balm upon the ebbing tides of day,
/, languor lulled by dream winged spirits In
their flight
Between the half uncertain hours OF dark and
light,
Amy Seville Wolff
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

II took many remedies and employed
several physicians but receivd no perma-
nent benefit. I was induced to take DR.
Green's Nervura blood and nerve remedy,
and after using six bottles I found it had
done wonders for me. I now feel real
strong and well and can walk a couple of
miles"
"My stomach does not trouble me and I
am not chilly. My catarrh has entirely
disappeared. I am so well that am
assisting my husband in the Office and
help mother when 1 get home. hope
anyone that is not well will try DR.
Greene's Nervura blood and nerve remedy.
my little daughter, Helena, has also
been using this remedy with great benefit
She was very delicate and nervous. After
taking this wonderful medicine for short
time she gained three pounds and is not
near so nervous as she was. 1 do not feel
afraid to recommend DR. Greene's Nervura
blood and nerve remedy for I know what
it has done for me and my little girl and L
would advise any one who is suffering to
take it,"
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

THE OLD FOLKS AND THE DEACON'S PUNG.
| steersman's passenger used to sit on the
front of the sled Turk fashion, well pro-
tected by the half encircling arm that
was extended forward to grasp the roller,
the only disadvantage suffered being the
fact that such proximity of lips as this
distracted the attention of the young
man from the road ahead.
The ride down the long west hill oc-
cupied from three to five minutes &C
cording to the sled and the ability of the
steersman. The rider first at the top had
the right to the first start. The next to
follow had not the right to start till the
first curve, about IS rods down, had
been passed by the leader. This was to
minimize the danger Of accident in case
the leader upset or was thrown off his
sled. The ride down the north hill on
| the crust took up not more than min
ute and sometimes not quite that. But
two sleds could be on that descent at the
same time for like precautionary reasons.
! Only the most skillful riders were allow
ed to go down the crust, and passengers
were mostly barred. AS it was, most of
the sleds going down with but one rider,
! there were twice as many accidents on
! the crust as on the road. but serious
hurts were rare, the worst ones being the
result of stones sticking up through the
| crust When a stone was struck by
| flying sled runner, there was Immediate
| ly some remarkable ground and lofty
| tumbling, with subsequent bruises and
black and blue spots and applications of
| arnica.
The meteoric rapidity of the trip down
the hills was quite offset by Che slowness
of the tramping up hill. But these up
! ward marches were not tedious. They
were beguiled by song and story and ru-
| raj Jest and an occasional rough and
tumble in the snow that added to the
! youthful spirits of the trampers and pre-
vented all semblance of dullness.
Toward the middle of February the
older inhabitants began to take hand,
and the silver headed old chaps that had
skated earlier in the season rode down
the hill more than once apiece just to
show the youngsters how to steer. In
this they did not succeed remarkably
we'll, but they liked the fun that they
had not before enjoyed since their
youth so much that they finally got out
Deacon Bixby's ''pung," had it hauled
about third of the way up the west
hill, had two handsleds dashed to the
pole, the two best steersmen of The Hook
took their places on the sleds, and a
dozen or moro of the old folks got into
the 'pung," and down the hill they
went, shrieking and laughing like so
many children. I. D. MARSHALL.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
An JnsuIted scotehman.

The following story heard at Killarney
shows how differently an Irishman and a
Scotchmau will take joke. An English
man who had been fishing in the lower
lakes said to his boatman: AN extraor-
binary thing happened to me some time
ago. lost pair of scissors ont of my
fishing book at the end of the lake. The
next year was fishing here again and
hooked and killed very large pike: I
felt something very hard inside him, so 1
opened him, and what do you think it
was?' "Begorra. your honor, I'd think
it might be your scissors only for one
thing" What is thatf" asked the other.
Its only just this. your honor, that there
never was pike in any of the Killarney
lakes since the world began"
Afterward the same Englishman tried
the same story on gillie in Scotland.
When he asked him, "What do you think
was inside the pikey' the gillie replied:
your scissors and nae CUTS; and the
Duke Of Argyle-and he's far greater
man than the king-would not have in
suited me sac. I'll fish nae mare wi
ve." And off he walked.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
SLIDING DOWN HILL.
IN CITIES THIS SPORT is KNOWN AS
COASTING.

No Matter What 1t Is Called. It Is One OF
the Most Thrilling Of Mundane Amuse-
ments - 1Ieteorio Descents and Jolly,
Frolicsome Tramps Up Again.
Coasting is the name applied IN cities
and towns to that northern winter sport
which in its most modern evolution Is
termed tobogganing and requires sps-
cially constructed slide for its practice.
Riding down hill" is what it used to be
called in certain country districts 20 or
80 years ago, and by this term 1t Ia still
known in many localities. Its name
doesn't matter anyway. If there is
more thrilling earthly amusement, have
yet to enjoy 1t or hear Of 1t.
It is only in certain places that the
sport ever rises to the dignity of science,
or that it can be practiced with compar-
alive safety. In cities or towns or their
near vicinity there is room only in the
streets, and there the danger from col
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
LIGHTNING CALCULATION,
How the Cube Root of Amy Number May ]


How the Cube Root of Amy Number May Be
Given Instantly.
One-third memory, one-third practice
and one-third trick-that is the secret of
most of the rapid calculators who figure
before the public. There are very few
calculations of which there is not short
way to the solution, but perhaps none of
them is so easy and at the same time so
surprising to the ordinary mind as the
instantaneousex extraction of the cube root.
This is a feat which has gained great
applause for its performers from the
days of Hutchins, 1.-THE lightning calcu-
lator," till now. The extreme rapidity
with which it is worked and the difficult
ty of the solution by the ordinary meth
DDS render it one of the most taking of
seats.
Before explaining the method of per-
forming this extraction of the cube root
it may be well for the benefit of those
readers who have forgotten some of their
early school knowledge to explain what
a cube root is. Multiply number by
itself and. the product by the original
number, and the result is a cube. Thus:
9x9-. 81 (the square of 81; 81 K - 729
(the cube of 81. Then 9 is the cube root
of 729.
Now for the method. First you OBJ
tain from one of the audience an exact
cube of not more than six places of fig
ures, though with moderate practice the
latter condition need not be insisted on.
Say the cube given is 14O, sos, of which
the root is 80. You know the cubes of
the units by heart, thus:
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

SECRETARY CARLISLE has directed that
the clerical force of the sixth auditors
Office be at once recognized. The re-
organization includes the adjustment of
the examining division and the division
of review and numerous changes in the
other divisions, all in accordance with the
recommendations of the report of the
Dockery committee to congress. Some
employees will have to be dropped and the
republicans in the Office have an idea,
probably a correct one, that they will all
be republicans. Other things being equal
Secretary Carlisle will give the democrats
the preference every time.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
BOSTON
Clothing Store
118 East Main St.,
St. PatriCk's Block.

We don't want to fail and for
just the reason we are compelled
to give you the value of $500 goods
for your One Dollar Cash. In or
der to save the name of our respec-
tive firm,
No man can make a better invest
ment, than when you buy your
Winter Clothing supply for your
self and family at the sacrifice sale.
Our stock contains full line
seasonable goods. Overcoats,
listers, Suits and Pant and full
line of Furnishing Goods, for Men,
Boys and Children.
Don't be too late in taking ad-
vantage of this great opportunity.
Save your hard earned dollar when
you can.
Call to see our stock and hear
prices and you will find the above
TO be positive facts.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16

ENGLAND's pension list for the last fiscal
year has just been published, and the
figures will astonish our own tax-ridden
citizens. Her last great warm the
Crimea-antedated our by but few years,
and she has had the Indian mutiny and
many little wars with savages within forty
years. Moreover, she has a large civil
pension list. Yet the total amount paid
out for all kinds of pensions for the year
ending March. 1892, was 97,588, 862-less
than $38, 900, 900, or about one-ffth of
what we pay as the result of our civil war
The pensions for the civil list amounted to
Sc. 1O1 ,6S7; for the army. s3,714, 673; for
the navy, 91,742,S12. and for the survi-
vors of former very distinguished naval
and military men, 929,72O The whole
number of recipients of all classes is 1922
n10
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
One COrOner's Verdict.

We print the following genuine verdict
rendered by an old coroner of Kentucky
as an aid to the gentlemen in the same
profession in the discharge of their deli
cate duties:
State of Kentucky, Russell County, SIS:
An inquisition taken for the people of the
state of Kentucky and county of Russell this
18th day of October, 1854 before Mr.. NJ. w. c..
crowner Of said county of Russell, upon view
of the body of male man, name unknown
then and there laying dead upon the oaths OF
IL good and lawful men of the people of the
said state and county of Russell and when and
where the same como to his death, we the jury
do agree, the body come to his death by death
unknown. NJ. w. c., G. r. c..
Crowner of the said County and State.
Green Bag.
Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-01-16
aches Consideration.

Of the late Lord Tollemaches consid-
Grafton for others an amusing instance
has been related by his brother. One
day, at Peckforton, he came down ear
lier than was his wont and happened to
look into the drawing room. He found
the room mot done" and Uttered with
brushes and busters. Extremely dis
pleased he rang the bell impetuously,
and tho inculpated housemaid was sum-
moned, but when she appeared, instead
of administering the intended rebuke,
he apologized to her for coming into the
room SO early, and was SO full of excuses
for his untimely visit that she said at
last, pray, don't mention it, my lord. "
London Tit Bits.