davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
IN THE LAND OF THE FREE.
One Sacred, Hereditary, Inalienable Right
 the American Citizen Possesses.

One Sacred, Hereditary, Inalienable Right
 the American Citizen Possesses.
 "Yes," said the Englishman who has been for some years resident of the Estates, "AInerica can fairly claim to be the freest country on earth. II used to think England was I believed that in spite of your boasted republican institutions and your universal suffrage and your bird of freedom and lots of other things we had more real freedom and more personal rights on the other side than you had over here But I've changed my mind. The American has more liberty than the Brit on. But the advantage isn't due to the form of government or political institu- tions, or the tariff, or the size and youth of the country. It's just In the matter of peanuts.
 "It is the sacred hereditary and lnalien- able right of every freeborn American citizen to eat peanuts when and where he pleases and to throw the shells on the floor. was crossing the river the other day on one of the ferryboats. The deckhands had just swept out the gentlemen's cabin, and were even then washing the floor. Two young men came In, sat down on the side which had just been washed and began to eat peanuts. The deckhands who were sweeping were not afraid to do their duty, for they had very quickly subdued drunk en tough who got boisterous, and they plainly saw the young men throw the pea nut shells on the clean floor, but they no more thought of objecting than they would think of dictating to man what kind of clothes he should wear. They respected ths first right of an American citizen.
 "Ive seen the same thing in elevated and cable cars, in public halls, in-theaters yes, even in church-and 1t Is always taken as a matter of course that the man who eats peanuts shall throw the shells on the floor wherever he happens to be. We poor Englishmen are slaves-we are serfs and bondservants beside you Yankees. "- New York Herald.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
IBSEN,S DlScOvERER.
The First Translation of ''The Dolls House"
 Not Published.

Not Published.
 Notwithstanding the interest taken in Ibsen today very few people know who it was that discovered the genius of the great northerner. Two years before the first printed translation of 'Ihe Dolls House" was issued Ernest Oppenheim, while tray cling in Scandinavia, read this wonderful play in the original. Quick in thought himself, he recognized immediately in the author one of the greatest thinkers of the time. So for his own pleasure, with but little thought of publication, he made tho first English translation of what is now Ibsen's most famous work.
 When he returned to America, the man. usor1pt was seen by literary friend who had some knowledge of publishers needs. The name of Ibsen was comparatively new and the subject too daring as an experi- ment. So he advised MT. Oppenheim not to attempt to get the book published un- less he did it in England. More instantly important affairs pushed this manuscript aside, and two years afterward some one else gave Ibsen to English speaking peo- pies. The first translation is still in exist ence, and except for here and there an un- important word it reads like the generally known edition.
 An acquaintance of MT. Oppenheim was talking to him one day about Ibsen's use- fulness to the world.
 "Why," he exclaimed, "Ibsen does noth- ing but point out to us the weak, the in- efficient part of life. He shows but the poor piece of the day. He will not expose our virtues-only our faults."
 Mir. Oppenheim shrugged his shoulders. "Is that not enough for one man to do?" he asked. "We cannot all of us see all of life "-New York Herald.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09

Conductor Frank Smith of the P R. < N B road has been taking an en- forced vacati ,n since Monday in conse- quence of severe boil, or carbunce, un the back of his neck. The "pesky thing" has broken and Frank feels bet ter. He is staying at A. P. Freeman's while eff duty.
 J S. Adam furnished us the follow ing item, and he writes. "In this year of cheap feed the following entries in an old journal may he of interest:
 Taunton, Mass. Sep. ye 8th, 173S.
 Archibald Robertson. Dr.
 To Nine Boushall corn at los pr Bu. 94 los 0d |" Six lib. Salt Porke at 2s pr lib. l2 0
 The graphophone entertainment drew large audience at Town Hall last Thursday evening and the V. I. A. realized a neat sum thereby. Col Phillips gave long program of selec- tions which were ln the main well re- ceived. The instrument, however. was not powerful enough for onr hall and from certain parts of the room sounded indistinct,
 The late Eben D. Jordan. who be- gan business life as psnniless boy and died 8 muti.millionaire at the head oi the widely known dry goods house of Jordan Marsh < Co.,, attributed large portion of his success to advertising and at one time said II would as soon thInk of not putting goods in the windows or signs on the front of my store as of not putting advertisements in the news- papers.
 Some years ago, while Everett Pct tee, of Salisbury, was surveying for the Housatonic R. R. Go. at New Milford, gentleman of the place said to him :: "What are you surveying for, Mir Pet tee?" "Three dollars day" was M, Pettee's laconic and only answer. Oul reporters efforts to ascertain what the surveyors on the Housatonic railroad here were surveying for were equal " successful, but not identical.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
As to FfnRers-

There is a wonderful amount of charac- ter in the finger and thumbs. In general usefulness the thumb is quite the equal of the four fingers. 1t backs them up on all occasions. The shape of the thumb tells all we want to know of mans character The index or foreinger tells mans occu- patton in life. The big middle finger indi- cates a mans habits. The third finger Is the most sensitive of all, and Is generally used when delicacy of touch is necessary. The little finger is simply a rest for the hand, sort of spring upon which 1t may fall at any time without a jar or shock. We could get along very we'll without our little fingers. Women like them because they can use them to show of pretty hand. They are really worthless to women except for ornament. They are always up in the air when the rest of the hand Is in service.-New York Press.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
INTERESTING OLD BOOKS.

Edward D. Norton has left at our office for examination three old account books which were in the possession of the late Charles Franklin of East Ga naan. It is very interesting to look them over. Many of the entries are very quaint and curious and the spell ing is often very original. The oldest of the books dates back to 177l. One of the books belonged to Abial Fellows, and another to Silas Franklin and also to John Franklin. who was the son O. Silas Franklin and father of Hugh Franklin. at one time the superintend ent of the Housatonic railroad,
 We quote some of the entries as follows :: Canaan May 1903 this may Certif, that their was afrost May 2d. & May 9th & eight the Shoe Fell or 7 inches Deep and judged anuff fell to Be afu'i and Lay on the ground ? or 3 day. !" This shows that late springs are no novelty. If any ybody doubts that tbe "blue laws" were ever enforced. these items will prove the contrary. '1808, Jnly 28th Personally appeared Stephon Patdridge and confesed judgement that he broak inc Law By working on the Lords Day the 17th instant & was fined for the same S1 87 not paid" There are other similar entries where the fines were paid. Then agaln "Jan, 7. 1911, Personally appeared Rulot Dutcher & Heamon Whitney & Con- plained of themselves for profain Swear ing & Fined one Dollar apeace-$2 00. Butcher paid We quote the follow cents; one Load Wood 5Ocents; one Day with hors and blow blowing corr, LOO; to the yuce of my hors one Da,
 25; coffe .18" Charges for 'grog" and "gills" of something (perhaps cold teal and ,"slings" and quarts of cider are also suspiciously frequent on some mems accounts.
 Mir Norton also showed us a warrant to collect town rates on the liss of l797, directed to Silas Franklin, Collector of Town Rates. and signed by Esquire Forbes as justice of. the peace: The collector is directed to attach property. or, in default of that. to take the bodies of delinquent taxpayers and commit them to the "Goal in Litchfeld county to be kept there until they pay.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
EI-
HONEYBEES.
The Sweating Process-What It Does and
 What 1t May Do.

Clover and sanfoin produce ten pounds of honey per acre each fine day, and as they flower twice and remain in full blos- som for a week at time the 75 acres, if properly worked by the bees, are expected to yield more than 10, 900 pounds of hon. ey. The triumph of the "sweater's art is In inducing the bees to fetch this enor- nous quantity of honey without neglect ing the arrangements for storing it in the hives. The honey, being liquid, must be bottled, and bees will only put it in comb of the exact size and texture which in- stinct has taught them. Combmaking is also much lighter and safer work than honey gathering, with it's danges from storms, wasps and birds. Young bees are generally told off for the purpose, while their elders go afleld But conscience will not allow bee to stay at home if he is not wanted to work.
 The beekeeper therefore makes 1t his business to provide ready made founda- tions for the cells, stamped in real wax, and of the natural size. He also removes the combs full of honey, spins them around in tin churn, and replaces them in the hive empty-a hint which the bees take as an invitation to refill them The ancient taskmaster said, "Ye are idle, ye shall have no straw" The modern beemaster says, "Ye are industrious, here is the straw ready chopped.". The bees seem de- lighted to make the most of the opportu- mites so thoroughly provided for them By using the mechanically stamped "foun- dations'' for their cells they make more perfect and symmetrical comb than is of ten constructed without help. The bottoms being regular, no Crooked comb" is ever built upon it. The size stamped is also uniformly that of worker cells. Thus there is DO room for drone cells, producing bees which cannot be "sweated" or made prof. itable in any way.
 The visible results of the system are a vastly increased store of honey-nearly 1000 pounds were recently made by the bees of 15 hives-and so far no sign of "overstrain" among the bees. When the system has had another years of trial, it may possibly show certain strains develop ing a tendency to forget how to construct comb foundation, just as some breeds of fowls are forgetting how to hatch their eggs.-London Spectator.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
A RirthdaV SurDrjse.

Last Saturday. the 4th inst, was the Rev B. Seeholzer's birthday. The day passed away like other days, and the reverend gentleman thought nothing unusual in regard to it. While prepar- to retire for the night, and thinking O.: the sermon he would preach on the morrow, he was disturbed by the noise of many stampings on the front veranda of the parsonage. Opening the door. in filed eight members of his Sunday school class. viz. Messrs Stevens, Brown, Wood, Pulver, Merchant, Root, Parsons and Emmons. MT Emmons, as spokesman of the party. with few we'll chosen words, presented him with a sum of money to go toward purchas- ing books of his own selection such as are needed in clergyman's library.
 The surprise was so complete that MT Seeholzer found it hard matter to re- ply in suitable words. yet the young men came away knowing that deep ap- preciation marked the acceptance of the gift on the part of their teacher and pastor.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
Let the Children Play.

It Is too often true of the unhappy chill dren who are forced to rise too early in their classes that they are conceited all the forenoon of life and stupid all it's after noon. The vigor and freshness which should have been stored up for the pur- poses of the hard struggle for existence in practical life have been washed out of them by precocious mental debauchery- by book gluttony and lesson bibbing. Their faculties are worn out by the strain put upon their oallow brains, and they are demoralized by worthless childish tri- umphs before the real work of life be- gins. have no compassion for sloth, but youth has more need for intellectual rest than age, and the cheerfulness, the tenao- ity of purpose, the power of work, which make many a successful man what he is, must often be placed to the credit not of his hours of industry, but to that of his hours of idleness in boyhood. Huxley.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
POINT FRS.

An experienced road-maker wanted. See adv.
 Blacksmith and wagon shop to rent. See adv.
 Rad J. N Cowles' new advertis- ment or business card.
 Nisbet's great reduction sale is the latest sensation. See adv.
 The bottom has fallen out of A. L.. CIark's cloak stock. See adv.
 Read the advertisement of the Sta e Normal Training School at Willimaptic.
 Now in full last-January sale at E. P. Hunt & Co.'S. Read their new adv.
 Don't fail TO attend the auction at tie Stiles Stevens farm next Thursday, l4th inst. See adv.
 Belden. the clothier, is almost giving away his goods. Now is the time to grab them. See adv.
 L P Hornbeck seems to fear that he will get crowded out of the NEWS. We don't wonder; there is quite rush for space. Still, there is always room for one more.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
CHOPIN PLAYED.
And Under the Circumstances It Was M usis
 to Be Remembered.

And Under the Circumstances It Was M usis
 to Be Remembered.
 Mrs. Anne Thackeray Ritchie tells @ pretty story of famous player and com- poser whom she calls My Musician. She was living in Paris with Ter grandmother, and one day, to her positive fright, was taken to drive by a Scotch lady, a spinster, tall and thin, one of three sisters, for all of whom her grandmother had a great regard. "She spoke to me, I believe" says Mrs. Ritchie, 'but my heart was in my mouth. I hardly dared listen to what she said.'' The carriage turned into a side street and presently stopped at door.
 Miss X. got out, carefully handling a heavy basket, and telling the little girl to follow, began climbing the shiny stairs. She rang bell and the door was opened by a slight, delicate looking man with long hair, bright eyes and a thin, hooked nose.
 Miss K put down her basket, caught both his hands in hers, shook them gently, and began to scold him in an affectionate, reproving way for having come to the door. He laughed, said he had guessed who it was, and motioned the two to enter. In the room was no furniture except an up right piano and a few straw chairs
 Miss x. inquired after his health Had he sleptS He shook his head Had he eaten2 He shrugged his shoulders and pointed to the piano. He had been com posing something; would Miss X. like to hear itS
 She would, certainly, but it would tire him. It could not be good for him.
 He smiled again, shook back his long hair and sat down. And then the music began, and the room was filled with con- Ix1~ i, ol~ der now and then to see if his hearers were liking it.
 "The lady sat absorbed" says Mrs. Ritchie "and as I looked at her I saw tears in her eyes-great, clear tears rolling down her cheeks, while the music poured on and on.
 1T can't, alas, recall that musicl l would give anything to remember it now, but the truth is, 1 was so interested in the people that I scarcely listened. When he stopped at last and looked round the lady started up.
 "'You mustn't play any more,' she said. No more, no more, it's too beauti- ful'-and she praised him and thanked him in a tender, motherly, pitying sort of way, and then hurriedly said we must go, but as we took leave she added, almost in whisper, with humble, apologizing look:
 |" T have brought you some of that jelly, and my sister sent some of the wine that you fanoied the other day. Pray, pray try to take little.'
 "He shook his head, seeming more vexed than grateful, but she put him back softly, closed the door upon him and tho offending basket and hastened away. AS wo were coming down stairs she wiped her eyes again. ..
 By this time I had got to understand the plain, tall, grim, warm hearted wom- an. All my silly terrors were gone. She looked hard at me as we drove away.
 "'Never forget that you have heard Chopin play sine said, with emotion, for soon no one will hear him play any mora n
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
FORGOT HER MAIDEN NAME.
A Curious Instance of Absentmindedne
 and Consennent Embarrassment

A Curious Instance of AbsentmindedneM
 and Consequent Embarrassment, Inability to remember names is fail- | ing common to great many people. | There are varying degrees of the malady, | of course, but nearly every one has had the experience of going to call upon one of | his most intimate friends, and suddenly, | as he ascended the steps and was about to | ring the bell, finding himself utterly un- ! able to recall the name of the person he ! was to ask for. This performance, howev- CT, has been completely distanced by the | feat of Mrs. S., who lives up town and ! now holds the palm among her acquaint-
 Rnces for this sort of absentmindedness. On the occasion of the death of distant relative recently she was obliged to go | down to the surrogate's court to attend to
 some business regarding the will. In the | course of the proceedings it became neces- sary for her to sign her maiden name to { the document in question. The clerk !, landed her the pen, told her where the | signature was to be affixed, and stood wait | ing for her to comply. But Mrs. S. | seemed stunned at the request. She stared | blankly at the young man before her and | then at the paper, but made no motion to- | ward writing, and said not word. "Just sign your maiden name, you
 
 had in some way misunderstood. Mrs. S. knew only too well what he | had said, but was no more able to execute
 the task than the young man himself
 would have been. She had been married
 twice. and it is long time since she had
 had occasion to use the name to which she | was born.
 "I-I-really don't remember it" she | gasped in an agony of embarrassment to
 the astonished clerk. T shall have to go | home and find out" And she disappeared
 through the door with all the haste at her | command.
 In telling the story afterward she said that she paced up and down the street in l front of that office for at least ten minutes
 oudgeling her brains in a vain effort to re-
 call the lost name, and was finally obliged
 to go home, as she had proposed, and look 1t up ill an old book which had belonged | to her when a girl.-New York Tribune.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
Money In Dreams.

Here is "strange, true tale," with the scene in Georgia near the flourish ing town of Covington. A few years ago a negro woman living near Covington lost son by death. A week or so ago the woman had dream, in which the son appeared to her and told her that if she would go to certain corner of the house and dig she would find flat rock, underneath which she would find lot of silver money. The woman awoke and was so much wrought up over the vision that she aroused some of the family and went at once to the des- fgnated spot and began to dig. Soon the flat rock was reached and removed with trembling hands and high expecta- tion A small box was revealed. This was taken out and opened, and to the wonder and sstonishment of all present it contained 30 silver dollars. s.-Atlanta Constitution.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
Pianos.

Somebody has aroused to the fact that pianos, of all furniture, remain the same dreary, stiff, coffin finished pieces they have always been. The upright has few possibilities, though not what it should have, but the grand is still hopeless. Why plano makers, exclaims this apostle of re- form, continue to use the same old and ug- ly models, with great knobs and senseless twistings and horrid posts for legs, is mystery, when graceful case of polished light wood, with slender legs arranged in clusters, and plain panels, would find eager buyers. Such o piano in wood to match the f1nishings of the room, oak, ma pie, cherry, would be harmonious and in conspicuous. It could be treated more elaboratcly with really graceful carvings or inlays of other woods, and, if an up right, the back could be made beautiful by carved wood latticework. New York Times. - ....-.- -.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
Water.

So penetrating is water at high pressure that only special qualities of cast iron will withstand it. In the early days of the hy- draulic jack it was no uncommon thing to see water issue like fine needle through the metal, and the water needle would penetrate the unwary finger just as readily as steel one.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
A Free School.

The completion of the new Normal School building at WillImsntic makes it possible for the State Board of Educs tion to admit two classes year, as an. nounced in another column.
 The school is fully equipped with li- brary, laboratories. training schools and instructors. and the advantages are "ffared free to all who declare their in- tention to teach in the common schools of this state
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
DIED

ADAMs-At South wethersfield, Jan. 5, Nellie Edith Adams, aged 30 years. .. MnLs-At winsted, Jan. f, Daniel H. Mills, aged 7S years HATcH-At Thomaston, Dec. 20, Mrs Sarah J. Hatch, daughter of Dan s. Carter, aged 35 years. WHEELER-At Litchield, Dec. 2s, Charles D Wheeler, aged T8 years. swEENEY-At Sharon Valley. Dec. 9i, of lung trouble. John Sweeney, aged 20 years. DooLIrTLE-At Riverton, Jan. 1st, Mrs Sarah Doolittle. aged 67. TULLER-At Winsted, Jan. 8, Dr Sydney s Fuller. dentist, aged 79 years. vAILL-At Harwlnton, Jan. l. Sarah M., wid- ow of David NJ. vaill, aged 76 years. JUDsos-At Bridgewater, Jan. l, Henry 0.
 Judson, aged 75 years. Interment In Box-
 bury.
 HoLcoMB At Bloomfield. Jan. G, Norris
 Holcomb, aged 66 ears and 10 mos. CArLrS-At Harwinton, Jan. 6, Willis Catlin
 aged "A years.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09

No excuse for sleepless nights when vou can procure One Minute Congh Cure. This will relieve all spnovances, "ure the most severe cough and give YOU rest and health. Gan you aff 'rd to To without it2 W. H. Camp, Canaan Geo, T Johnson. Norfolk.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
BORN

FARRALLY-At Bristol, R. l., Dec. 26th, a son to Mir and Mrs W. H. Farrally. GoDEBIEs-At Lakeville, Jan. 8, a son to Mir and Mrs Louis Goderies
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
M AB REED.

BLow-CoSNELL-At Norfolk, Dec. 3I, by Rev Fr. Heating, MT John Blow and Miss Mollie Connell.
Connecticut western news., 1896-01-09
WANTED l!

An experienced roadmaker.to whom steady employment will be given from April l to October l. 1896. Apply 70
 Selectm en, Town of North Canaan, Conn.