davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
A MUSICAL SPIDER.

When l went to hampton it was
my habit to hire piano by the hour in
either private house or church parlor
in the neighborhood of the hotel.
One Summer had the good fortune
to obtain the use of an excellent Stein
way grand in the church parlor of the
North Church. 1t was pleasant to sit
there and play, absolutely secure from
interruption of any kind, as l fancied.
l was glorying in this security on my
third day, when | noticed large spider
moving in fascinated manner over
row OF benches close at hand, until it
reached the top of high reading desk
just near my shoulder.
had often heard that spiders were
fond of music, 80 curiosity replaced re-
sentiment at the creatures approach. 1
played on and on, in soft way, for fully
half an hour; during all of that time it
remained as quiet as the desk itself. 1
began to believe it was really listening,
and finally played quite hard, but it re-
manned mistaken until stopped; then
it turned and went back to the end OF
the row of benches. and then up the wall.
My surprise was very great when the
spider appeared again, on the next day,
in exactly the same fashion, and so for
several successive days, One afternoon,
however, looked at the desk in vain, and
felt an almost absurd disappointment.
When it was time to go home, and l
was closing the piano, to my delight l
discovered the spider immovable on
large music book at the end furthest
from the keyboard.
Straight up. by an almost invisible
thread, the little thing had spun a web
just over the piano, 80 that it could easily
90 to and fro.
At the close of the season there was to
be concert at the hotel, and was re-
quested to play or sing something
bright" 1t happened at that time had
a cold. and could do nothing with the
voice, SO | decided, while sitting with
my musical spider. to try to deceive
these country folks into the belief that
l could play one OF Bachs fugues. Ac-
cordingly, l began to practise. l was
mortified to find how difficult it was and
how badly it sounded, but went on
courageously, three, four, five times
over. with but little improvement. Then
l looked to the spider for sympathy, but
it had gone!
This was really conclusive. l could
not hope to please people il a spider
would not listen. But had it gone for
that reasonY
l touched the keys again, beginning
my favorite song, and soon the creature
spun its way back to the book. By way
Of experiment l started the fugue once
more, and it took only few bars to send
the spider up the thread. l played
Chopin at the concert.
This happened in the autumn, and as
the church parlor was not heated, gave
up the use of the room. Going back one
afternoon to collect my music, 1 found a
dead spider on the music book. in its old
place on the piano. There had been a
frost the night before. l sat down and
played Chopin's funeral march, and
then buried it.-Harper's Bazar
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
A GARDEN ON SHIPBOARD.

Most people have heard of the hang
ing gardens of Babylon, the modern roof
gardens, and the gardens on floating
islands in which vegetables used to be
grown for the citizens of ancient Mex.
leo; but probably few have heard of a
garden on board ship, with farm-yard
attachment. The splendid ship "Mow-
ham," now in port. had such an arrange
ment on board during her trip to Ore
gon. On leaving Belfast for Portland,
she took on board as ballast two thou
sand tons of Irish soil, which, when
levelled off. made quite stretch of
ground; and the ships company pro-
ceeded to put it to use by planting a
stock of garden truck in it. The seeds
came up all right; and the plants -four
ished finely, and, when the ship was in
the tropics, grew with great rapidity.
AS they progressed toward the Horn
and the weather grew colder, things
came to perfection rapidly. The crew
and ship apprentices amused themselves
by wedding and cultivating the plants;
and the captain and officers took regu-
lar walks in the garden daily. and all
had green vegetables to their hearts
content. AS they came round the Horn,
the garden was replanted; and by the
time they reached the equator every
thing was abloom, and all hands feasted
on fresh vegetables daily. The only
drawback to the garden was the weeds,
which grew 80 rapidly that they could
hardly be kept down, and the drove of
pigs which were kept in the farm yard
attachment, and which on several occa.
sions. when the ship was bucking into
north easter and rolling heavily, broke
out of the bounds and made serious in
roads on the garden. The last pig was
killed and served up with green vege-
tables iuet before the "Mowhan' en-
tered the Columbia.-P Portland Oregon
ian.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
FINE JERSEYS SOLD
At Hood Farm. Lowell, Mass.

The first auction sale of Jerseys at
the famous Hood Farm, Lowell Mass.
owned by the proprietor OF Hoods Sar-
saparilla. took place on Friday, May 8.
and attracted buyers from all over the
country. For some years Mr.. Hood has
been raising on his farm. Jerseys Of the
best breeding and individuality. The
placing of this superb stock on the mar
ket cannot help being Of great benefit to
farming and dairying interests, general
ly. About forty animals were sold,
many of them from the famous Com
bination and Tennessee strains, and in
Guiding the famous bull, Tonnage, s1n
of Diploma, which goes to Maryland. 1t
was noticeable fact that the top prices
realized were for the younger stock
which was bred at Hood Farm. Mr..
Hoods herd of Jerseys still numbers
$50 head, and he also has on the farm
over 100 head of thoroughbred Berk-
shire pigs.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
WHO CINDERELLA REALLY WAS.

The story OF Cinderella is substantially
the same as that told OF Rhodopis and
Psammitichus by Elan, who lived in
Rome in the third century of the Chris
tian era. The story, as told by ELAN, is
that while Rhodopis was bathing, an
eagle carried away one of her sandals
and dropped it near the feet of Psammi-
tichus, king of Egypt who, like Cinder-
elias prince, was struck by its diminu-
tive size, caused the maiden to be sought
for, and married her when found. Make
the sandal glass slipper and add the
ugly sisters for the sake of contrast, and
the stories are much the same. The
glass slipper, by the way, is an acknowl-
edged fiction, being in reality mis-.
translation of "pantoufe en- vair" IA
fur slipper. and not zen verre."
This, at all events, is what IS claimed
by Perrault in his "Countes de Fees"
Both these stories have doubtless a
common origin. but it is necessary to go
further back in the history of the litera-
ture to find ito people who lived in
period compared with which that of
even Elan is quite modern. 1t is in the
Vedas, the four sacred books of Hindus,
that the origin is to be found.
After what has already been said, it
will not be surprising to learn that Gin
derella is dawn maiden, her sisters be-
ing the powers of darkness, who compel
her to wait upon them, keeping her hid
den from sight. The dawn maiden
breaks from her bonds, and captivates
the sun, remaining with him for time.
But she cannot linger with him in the
heavens; she can only remain until
certain hour. Once she fingers too long
and, hurrying back, leaves on the path
she has taken token of her visit in the
form of feecy cloud, which had borne
her aloft when she left the regions of
darkness. The sun, determined to find
her, sends out his emissaries 1.-THE rays of
light) but does not find her until she ap.
pears before him as the evening twilight.
In the Vedas the prince is called Mira,
which is one of the names given to the
sun.-LondOn Globe.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
HORTICULTURE.

The woods which were once over run
with gay songsters are now over run
with buzzing insects, which God created
as food for the birds. Man suffers Just
in proportion as he attempts to change
Heavens DEGREES. The study now is
how to protect by spraying our fruit
and shade trees from insects; a few
years ago insecticides were unnecessary
Apiarists do not take full advantage
of the many wild honey producing
plants which luxuriantly thrive in our
meadows, fields and woods. If given a
chance they would thrive in a way
which would put our cultivated plants
to shame. The great honey producing
plant in Scotland is the heather, which
blooms so sweetly over the fields aud
meadows.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23

{ FARM. GARDEN AND DAIRY.
8 Instructive Reading for AgricuIturists.
s PREPARED EXPRESSLY FOR "THE UNIvERsALIsTn
Es:s:8ss:8:s:ssessszs:zssd

Ii one cannot buy 100 acres for corn
let him take 10 and plant it in fruit
Inc same amount of labor, though of
different sort, at the right time and in
the proper way, will bring both gross
and a net result quite as large aa wban
applied to the hundred acres. l;ttlo
berry patch can be made to WELD as
much as monster cornfield.
The orchardist who has a few horro,.
each OF dozen different varieties will
have great.deal more trouble in oet.
ting them ready for market than he
would If, with an equal quantity only
Two or three kinds were represented
Though all be of equal merit, there will
be more work and less profit with the
many Kinds than with the few.
In packing fruit for shipment NO NM
pose is served by ventilation other than
the escape of moisture The contact Of
fresh air hastens decay every momant
Have the package on the outside as DRY,
as possible. With large fruit. piece Of
lime put IN the package proves an ax.
cellent absorber of moisture.
Apple trees will grow in great vor;o-
W OF soils, but give the best results in q
we'll drained lime loan. A northern ax.
posure is preferable to southern one and
high ground to that which is low. Treas
four years from the bud hear +rons-
planting best, and will soon overtake
those which are older.
~ is rarely that anything larger than
knife should be used in pruning annlo
trees. for the cutting off of large limbs
should be averted by removing them
wnen small. Part of large limb should
oe cut In successive springs. that the
mai cutting may be small, and heal
more promptly.
Inc varieties of apples to be planted
should depend somewhat upon nersonal
preferences, If for home use. and unor
the conditions in which the planter is
piaceo' Examine the bearing orchards
IN the vicinity and make choice from
those which do we'll in similar so;l ax.
posture and temperature.
Buyers take to dark grape rather
Inan to light one, for some reason.
rossloiy IL is because there is promise
OF richer flavor beneath the dark skin.
fancy white grapes have been selling
as low as the common dark ones. Be
SLOW aoout setting out even the best of
wnite varieties for market.
In fruit growing districts where the
product is beyond the home demand, or
'he capacity of the home market, an as
sociation OF producers can seek out a
"ioer market than can the individual.
ana avoid conflicting shipments and
tne overcrowding of single points.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
WONDERFUL INDIA PAPER,

The marvellous Oxford India paper
was first introduced in 1875. Since then
it has revolutionized the Bible aud
prayer book trade, and it is now used in
all the more popular devotional books
throughout the world. In the year 1S4l
an Oxford graduate is said to have
brought home from the far East small
fold of extremely thin paper. which was
manifestly more Opaque and tough for
its substance than any paper then man.
ufactured in Europe. He presented it
to the Clarendon Press. The late
Thomas Combe, who had only recently
been appointed printer of the university,
found it to be just sufficient for "a
copies of the smallest Bible then in exis-
tence-diamond 24mo-and printed an
edition of that number which bore the
date Of 1912. The books were barely a
third of the usual thickness, and, al
though as much as 800 apiece was Of
fered for them, no copies were sold, and
they were presented to the Queen and
other distinguished persons.
All efforts to trace the paper to it's
source were futile. and, as the years
rolled Oh, the circumstance was forgot
ten. But early in 1874 copy fell into
the hands of Arthur E. Miles, who
showed it to Mr.. Provide, and expert
ments were at once set on foot at the
Oxford university paper mills. with the
object OF producing a similar paper.
The first attempts were failures, but
success was achieved, and August "a,
1875, an edition of the diamond 24-mo
Bible, similar in all respects to the "a
copies printed in 1912, were placed on
sale. This was the first Oxford Bible
published by Mr.. Provide. The feat of
compression was looked upon as as
founding, the demand was enormous,
and before very long 100000 copies had
been sold. The paper when subjected to
severe rubbing, instead of breaking into
holes, assuming a texture resembling
channels leather, and strip only three
inches wide was able to support quar-
ter of hundred weight without yield
ing. The secret of it's manufacture, it
may be said, is known, to only three liv.
ing beings.-Booh Revieao.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
STOCK j.

whenever you put cattle I'M to fatten
De sure to put them where they will be
quiet. They will eat better and gain
hesh more rapidly than if exposed to
any annoyance or worry. This is a
point IN economical feeding which no
one can afford to overlook.
IL Is Just as easy to oyerstock with
sneep as with any other class of ami
mails. Large blocks of them never nav
as well in proportion as smaller ones;
out Notwithstanding the depression in
tne wool industry, every we'll regulated
farm should still carry few sheep.
Inc producer who thinks it not worth
while to cater to the requirements of the
consumer is the one who finds that it
does not pay to grow cattle. This must
% the rule in every line of business in
the world. The best meat buyers and
meat eaters demand well bred and we'll
fed cattle.
In the not distant future the quantity
OF mutton consumed will not fall much
-" sAos VI U66l. linen the sheen
business will be upon a stable basis.
ana wool will be looked upon az a by
product instead of the main depend.
ence for profit. People are eating more
mutton every year, and will increase the
quantity as the quality improves.
In feeding cattle for market and for
profit the aim must be to make the
greatest gain at the lowest cost, and
things which are apparently trivial have
bearing upon the result. Quiet com.
fort and regularity are almost equally
important with the selection of the
proper food.
IL pays well to carry the stock upon
green food close up to the beginning of
winter, but this can not be done unless
some forethought is given to the matter
IN the spring and summer. To provide
against short pastures at the close to the
season, SOW millet or Hungarian grass
or sweet corn at the proper intervals.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
Suicidal Wasps.

M. Henry, Frenchman. being curious
to see the effect of benzine on wasp, put
some of it under glass in which a:wasp
was imprisoned. The wasp Immediately
showed signs of great annoyance
and anger, darting at piece of paper
which had introduced the benzine into
his cell. By-and-by he seems to have
given up the unequal contest in despair,
for he lay down on his back. and bend.
ing up his abdomen, planted his sting
thrice into his body, and then died. NJ.
Henry allowed his scientific interest to
to overcome his humanity so far as to
repeat the experiment with three wasps,
only to find that the other two did like
wise. He is. therefore. of opinion that
wasps, under desperate circum stances
commit suicide.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
BIRDS IN SPRING.

Listen! What a sudden rustic
Fills the air!
All the birds are in hustle
Everywhere.
Such ceaseless Groom and twitter
Overhead
Such a flash of wings that glitter
Wide outspread!
Far away hear drumming
Tap, tap, tapl
Can the woodpecker be coming
After sap?
What does all this haste and hurry
Mean. pray
All this lt-door flush and furry
Seen to-day?
This presaging stir AMI humming'
Thrill and call?
Mean? 1t means that spring is coming
That is ALL
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23

,Tis bedtime; say your hymn and bid good
night,
..God bless mamma, papa, and dear ones all. y
your balf.shut ewes beneath your eyeli1s fall,
Anotbar minnie YOU will shut them quite.
Yes, will carry you, put out the light,
And tuck you up. although you are SO TALL
What will you give me, sleepy one' ana CAL
NV wages. if set le you all right?
laid her golden curls upon my ARM
drew her little feet within my hand,
Her rosy palms were joined III uus'iui
bliss,
Her heart next mine beat gently soi'' anu
warm,
She nestled to me, and by Loves comnlanu
Paid me my precious wages-Dapy 5 KISS
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
Original Story.
MRS, DINSMORES STEP
CHILDREN.
BY LAURA j. RITTENHOUSE'

The Ladies' Sewing Circle" met
at Mrs. Grant Worthington's that
afternoon. They were working with
great diligence and enthusiasm, anx
ious to buy a new carpet for the
church. The old one had been turned
and patched and darned until there
was scarcely whole place in it, and
worldly pride, as we'll as an honestde-
sire to have fresh, clean carpet MT
for the Lords house, made each one
exert herself to the utmost.
AS many ladies as could be seated
around it, were lacking or tying" a
silkoline comforter with pretty blue
zephyr, made into soft tufts. AS they
worked, matters financial, moral and
domestic were discussed.
GLOW are your plants doing, this
spring?" asked Mrs. Steele of Mrs.
Serbian, who sat beside her.
beautifully. l was fortunate in
not losing one the whole winter. My
geraniums are in full blossom, and
my begonias gorgeous. You ought
to come over and see them," was the
response.
81 will, 1 do love flowers. My pan
sizes are thriving wonderfully. They
are ready to transplant now. I've
more than need, and if you like I'll
give you some."
"Thank you'll I shall be only too
glad to get them. Marie adores pan
Sizes"
"Does shei So does my Alice. l
sent over to Mrs. Dinsmore's to ask
her if she wanted a few pansies, yes
terday, I knew she hadn't been here
long enough to have started any her.
self, but" Mrs. Steele stopped as if
somewhat embarrassed.
'Of course she wanted them," sup
plemented Mrs Serbian.
eyes. She said she'd send and get
them as soon as Chester had time to
spade up a bed for them. Chester is
only eight years old, you know" and
Mrs. Steele looked intently at the
comforter.
"Did you everl The idea of putting
a boy of that age at such hard work.
I'm not surprised, though. I declare
it makes my heart ache every time
think of those poor children" Mrs.
Serbian said solemnly.
The other ladies at work upon the
quilt began to be interested now.
"Why, what's the matter with them,
Mrs. Serrian?" inquired Mrs. Nell
vile. 'They look we'll enough, I'm
sure"
"Ohl yes. They've enough to eat
and wear, suppose, but there are
other things necessary for the happi-
ness of children" returned Mrs. Ser
rian.
"Well, what is the trouble, then"
persisted Mrs. Melville. "They play
with my children quite often, and
seem jolly and happy as can be.
Judging from what | can see, they
are very we'll cared for"
That's the way with children.
They forget abuse and ill-treatment
half an hour afterward, besides, | sup
pose they are getting used to it, poor
dears," sighed Mrs. Serbian.
Getting used to what-being we'll
dressed and well-fed7" said Mrs.
Melville triae impatiently. "Don't
hint so much, Mrs. Serbian. If you
know anything dreadful, tell us, and
put an end to our suspense"
IF you lived with your back yard
adjoining Mrs. Dinsmore's as mine
does, you wouldn't need to ask ques-
tions; you could see and hear for
yours slf."
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-23
BED TIME.

BY THELArE LORD RossLYN.
The evening times., 1896-05-16
OFFICERS OF THE CINCINNATI.
Elected for Three YearS-NeNt Meet
Ing in New York.

Philadelphia May 16.-The concluding
session OF the triennial meeting of the
Gene raj Society of the Cincinnati which be-
gan mere on Wednesday Y was held yesterday
in the rooms Of the Pennsylvania Historical
Society. 4 matter of considerable moment
To the members was the recent organZa-
ton III New York Of the Society Of the
Daughters of the Cincinnati. The subject
evoked much discussion and resolution
finally prevailed to the effect that the ne W
society he requested 10 desist from using
The name '.Cmcinnau'' in connection with
the organization.
The State Society OF Cincinnati was aG-
mitted to the general body and So cietics
of Virginia. Della ware and North Carolina,
which sought the same privilege, were
admitted subject To an examination by the
standing committee OF the eligibility Of their
members New York was chosen as the
place for holding the next triennial meeting
in May. 1899.
These officers were elected President
general. Major William Wayne, Pennsyl-
vania: vice president general, Winslow
Warren, Massachusetts,: secretary gen
eral, Asa Bird Gardiner, Rhode Island; as
sistant secretary general, Nicholas Fish,
New York: treasurer general, Richard
Meredith McSberry, Mar yland; and as
sistant treasurer general, Henry Tha yer
Drowue, RhOsic Island
Amer the newly-eiected president gen
eral had tn kc n the chair he was presented b Y
Nicholas Fish. a son Of the late Hon Ii am
iltou Fish. who was president general,
with a handsome diamond-studded insignia
OF the society. This was presented TO
Geu George Washington. the first presi
dent general of the society. by the Fren ch
officers who served during the revolution
Major William Wayne. the new presi-
dent general is q direct descendant of
Gen Anthony Wayne.
The evening times., 1896-05-16
OUR CONQUERING HEROES.

Once again joy reigns supreme in the
District armories, and our soldier boys
faces wear bright smiles as they glory
over the victories won by the Morton Cadets
and the Engineer Corps at the interstate
drill at Savannah. The Mortons have
gained new Ia ureis and the Engineers have
broken several records all TO smash. They
will bring back with them the famous Gal
weston cup and team and individual prizes
galore and they will be welcomed homo
with all the enthusiasm and eclat that
are the due of soldiers who have borne
themselves bravely and brought honor to
HE name and fame OF their native city.
Washington has good reason to he proud
of her citizen soldiery. They always pre-
sent a creditable appearance, and wherever
they have gone, and with whomsocver
they have been brought in competition and
comparison, they have acted their part
like gentlemen. They have shown that
a gentle demeanor is not Incompatible with
military prowess, and in consequence Wash
ington soldiers are received with warm well
come in every city they visit. Apprecia-
tiou of these facts ought q be made patent
to the returning Young heroes, and their
return next week lie made the occasion for
a public demonstration that viii convince
them that their success is cherished, and
makes glad, not only their brothers-in-
arms. but all the people of the National
Capital.