davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Omaha's Immense Umbrella.

The last Paris exposition had its Eiffel
tower, Chicago had its Ferris wheel,
Nashville had its giant seesaw. The de-
partment Of concessions of the Omaha
Trans-Mississipp exposition of 1898
has also received an application for
space for the erection of novel mechani-
cal device, says the Manufacturer. 1t re-
sembles the framework of gigantic UNI
brella more than anything else which
might be mentioned The part cor
responding to the stick of the umbrella
is an immense cylinder 80 feet in diane
ter, constructed of steel plates, firmly
riveted, making a standpipe which rears
its head $50 feet above the level of the
ground. AT the extreme top otthis cylin-
der are fastened twelve long arms resem-
bling the ribs of an umbrella. These are
steel trusses, reaching almost to the
ground. At the lower end of each of
these ribs is suspended car for carrying
passengers, each car having a capacity
for 20 persons.
These monster ribs are raised by hy-
draulic power, acting by means of steel
cables operating through the cylinder,
aided by mechanism greatly resembling
that portion OF an umbrella which comes
into action when the umbrella is opened.
By means of this mechanism the gigantic
arms are raised until they are horizontal,
the cars in the meantime being carried
outward and upward until they reach a
point $50 feet above the ground, the di-
ameter Of the huge circle formed by the
suspended cars being almost $50 feet.
When the highest point has been reached
another mechanism comes into play and
the suspended cars are swung slowly
around in circle. after which they are
lowered to the ground. The sides of the
cars are of glass, so that the passengers
may secure an extensive view OF the sur
rounding country.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
A Last Resort For Dinner.

For sheer originality in matters
of food l commend the following direc-
tions, which one Of the Partisan papers
gave to its subscribers. The supplies
were getting lower and lower in the
Prussian grit city. Seine gudgeons
would not bite, so the anglers took to
the sewers. "Take a long, strong line
and a large hook. Bait with tallow and
gently agitate the rod. In a few min,
utes rat will come and smell the sa-
worry morsel 1t will be some time before
he decides to swallow it, for his nature
is cunning. When he does, leave him
five minutes to mediate on it, then pull
strongly and steadily. He will make
convulsive jumps, but be calm and do
not let his excitement gain on you.
Draw him up, ct VOLTA votre diner. -
London News.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
BraZil's Jungles.

The jungles of Central America and
Brazil are masses of vegetation so dense
that it is practically impossible to pene.
trate them. Swain and his party, when
crossing the isthmus of Darien, labored
hard with their hatchets and machetes
the whole of one day and achieved but
half mile. In many parts of Central
America the underground renews itself
go rapidly that it is almost impossible
to keep road open through it. In one
instance, in Honduras, road 16 feet
wide was made by engineers and
laborers through jungle, the under
brush aud vines being cut away even
with the ground. Two weeks later, re-
turning TO complete the work by laying
stones on the roadbed, they could rot
find the road, the vines having COM
pletely filled the vacant space.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

sister of the late Col. E. P. Jewett, who
died three years ago, aged 95. She be-
longed to one of the oldest families in
the state, which has been prominent in
state and national affairs. Her husband
died nearly half century ago. Mrs.
Shafter was the stepmother OF the late
James Skater, once the secretary OF state
for Vermont and Judge Oscar Shafter,
Judge OF the supreme court OF California.
Arthur Kenison of South STAFFORD,
aged SO, was instantly killed by the pre-
mature explosion OF a dynamite cart
ridge while preparing a blast at the
Elizabeth copper mines Friday morning.
He was holding the cartridge and attach
ing the wire from the exploding battery
at the time One arm and leg was torn
from his body. He was widower and
leaves one child.
The exercises attending upon the 44th
annual commencement Of the medical
department of the University of Vermont
were held at the Howard opera house in
Burlington Monday evening, when a
class Of so became physicians and sur
geons. Considerable excitement attended
the reception Of the news that "a STU
dents had been "plucked," nearly all of
the uniortunates failing to pass the rigid
examination in chemistry given them by
Prof Rudolph August Witthaus A. NJ,
M. D.
The closing of the South Dakota Saw
ings institution at Pierre, S. D., will affect
a large number OF investors in Montpe
lier and vicinity who hold nearly all of
the $4,000 capital stock at the bank
The bank was organized in 1888, and
nearly all the business was done through
the Eastern Office in Montpelier.
Col. E. W. Jewett, new department
commander Of the Grand Army, has es-
tablished headquarters at Swanton and
has announced the following staff APP
pointments: Z. J. Ranslow OF Swanton,
assistant adjutant general; E. D. Barnes
OF Swanton, assistant quartermaster
general; Joel c. Baker of Rutland, Judge
advocate general.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
The Oriental Peddler.

The hawker of the east is picturesque
in costume and of many nationalities.
His sunny smile and white, cleaning
teeth are Of the very essence of the blue
sky overhead He does not stand still In
the street and appeal to passersby to buy
his wares. He fits from cafe to cafe and
interviews loungers smoking their mar
giles in the open air. He adopts the
gambling system as being more direct
appeal to human passions. In his hand
he carries lucky bag. Wnen he enters
cafe, he invites you to dip your hand
in the bag and try your luck for a pair of
live turkeys, a beautiful Egyptian shawl
shimmering with gold or silver en-
broidery, Or some other of the many
ornaments peculiar to the east. 1t is diff
cult to resist his persuasive eloquence.
The method of procedure is this: In
his lucky bug the hawker carries 200
numbers. The figures are neatly inscrib-
ed on small slips Of stiff paper. These
are rolled and curled up in the lucky
bag which resembles pillow case more
than anything else. When the peddler
enters the cafe, his quick eye soon de-
tects likely customer. To start by do
ing a trade will greatly enhance his
chances with others. Terms are arrang
Cd, say three tries for half franc.
Then you guess perhaps three times, at
the lucky number, say between 100 and
120 as arranged.
On drawing the first number you pay
down your half franc. OF course the
odds are very much against you. The
hawkers in Cairo and Alexandria make
a very fair harvest when these cities are
full. AS much as Is to Is francs for
turkey which costs 5 francs is pretty
good profit. Somebody, of course, wins
it in the long run.
The articles disposed of in this way
comprise boxes Of splendid peaches and
other fruits, soap, flowers in great va
riety, plants and the beautiful poin-
settia, turkeys and other live stock,
game in season, fish, dates, great va
riety of ornaments, cunning devices in
clocks, furniture, etc.
There is another side to the picture.
The eastern hawker would not be con-
tent with the mere gamble for a lucky
number without exercising his natural
ingenuity. While he is talking to q
would be "flutterer" he drops his hand
into the bag and begins shaking up the
numbers. These, it should be explained
are made up in patches of tens and
twenties, which are composed Of a
slightly different qualities of paper. In
the bag is false bottom. So delicate is
Hassan or Adults touch that he can
distinguish one batch from the other
with his hand. Instantly you select your
numbers he switches them off into the
reserved compartment. You may easily
be tricked half dozen times in this
way without knowing it. The face OF
the hawker on such occasions is study.
Never for moment does he relax his
attention to you. His smile is sunny as
the eastern morn. His respectful era.
ciousness never leaves him. -Pearson &
Magazine.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

Great activity prevails among tic
slate producers in western Vermont. Tho
men are working 10 hours a day and
new help is being put on. A wealthy
syndicate, said to be from Boston, is
purchasing all the red slate territory II
is possible to secure at North Granville
aud Pawlet. The company proposes to
erect on the river, near the former place
one of the largest paint mills in the coun.
try, the paint being made from the slate
rock. The paint will be largely used bv
railroad companies on their buildings
and rolling stock. Increased activity is
apparent in all Of the slate producing
points in this section, in mill stock as
well as in roofing material
Fred Arnold is the new postmaster at
Bethel.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Grants Aversion to Liars.

In the July Century General Horace
Porter, in his Campaigning with
Grant" dwells upon Grants aversion to
liars. He quotes the following remarks
from General Rawlins;
The general always likes to tell an
anecdote that points a moral on the sub
ject of lying. He hates two kinds of peo-
pie, liars and towards. He has no pa
thence with them" ingalls, added:
"Such traits are so foreign to his own
nature that il is not surprising that he
should not tolerate them in Others. AS
man and boy he has always been the
most absolutely truthful person in the
whole range of my acquaintance. |
never knew him to run into the slightest
exaggeration or to borrow in the least
degree from his imagination in relating
an occurrence" One of the party re-
marked: ~ was amused one day to
hear an officer say that the general was
'tediously truthful. He explained that
what he ment by that was that the
general, in mentioning something that
had taken place, would direct his mind
so earnestly TO stating unimportant de-
tails with entire accurancy that he
would mar the interest of the story.
For instance, after returning from a
walk around camp he would say: i
was told so and 50 about the wounded
by DR. while we were talking this
morning inside Of his tent; and a half
hour afterward he would take the trou-
BILE to come back and say, as fit were
matter Of greatest Importance: i was
mistaken when told you that my con-
versation with Dr.-occurred inside his
tent, that was not correct it took place
while we were standing in front Of his
tent" There was so much truth in this
comment. No one who had served any
time with the general could fail to be
struck with his excellent memory, and
the pains he invariably took TO state oc-
currences with positive accuracy, even in
he most unimportant particulars.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

On the slopes of the Himalayas the
native women have a most curious plan
Of disposing of their babies and keeping
them quiet while they are engaged at
work in the fields during the greater
part of the day. Before the mothers set
out to work in the morning they wrap
their babies in swaddling bands, leav-
ing nothing but their little faces ex-
posed. Then the babies are taken and
laid under ledge Of rock from which
water is falling, and by means of a
bamboo the water is made to drip gen.
thy on each babys forehead. The effect
OF the dripping water is most soothing.
and soon the little ones are all asleep
and remain motionless till taken up by
their mothers on their return from their
work, when they are carried off to be
unwrapped dried and fed.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

At recent fire in the basement of a
Chicago electric power house the fire.
men had great trcuble in getting at the
blaze. They had to chop holes in the
floor Of the dynamo room before they
could get stream Oh the blazing pile
OF waste. Not waiting for the dynamos
to be smut down, they orept through the
black smoke and turned stream on the
flames. In an instant they We're flung
to the ground with great violence, and
the hose was sent flying into the air. A
heavy current had passed along the
stream and had shocked them. Though
unconscious when rescued, they quickly
recovered. Electrical Review.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Wasps and Flies,

The wasp is accepted as emblematical
of irritability and petty malignity, but
even this much abused insect plays a
beneficial part in the work Of nature.
A number of wasps were seen by r. M.
Darlington of Bray, Ireland, buzzing
about his cows. Closer inspection re-
vealed that they were ~ busy catching
flies. One white COW drew more wasps
than any of the others because the mo-
ment fly alighted it was seen at once
against the skin. When wasp catches
fly, it Immediately bites off both
wings, sometimes leg or two and &C.
casionally the head. Mr.. Darlington
saw some of the wasps, when laden with
one fly, catch another without letting
60 the first and then fly away with BOTH
There was constant stream of wasps
carrying away flies, probably to feed the
larvae in their nests, and returning again
to the cows to catch more. In about 20
minutes Mr.. Darlington estimated that
between 800 and 400 flies were caught
on two cows lying close to him.-San
Francisco Argonaut.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Too Much In n Names

"There 1T is again." groaned Chump-
ley. "This time he's arrested for blow
ing SAFE That fellows making life a
long and dismal nightmare for me-"
"What is it this timer"
"Same as it's been half dozen other
times-R. H. Chumpley caught in an
other desperate crime; my name, my
initials. I'll bet there are thousands Of
people using that mans record in max
ing up mine. Every once in awhile 1
pick up paper to read that We whipped
my wife, though l never had such an
article; raised a check, beaten hotel,
stolen bicycle or committed bur-
glary."
''But no one will suspect you"
"They won't? I have a barrel Of let.
tiers referring to the matter Ministers
labor with me, lawyers offer to defend
me, women roast me to turn and
crooks want to enter into partnership
with me. I have had some Of the worst
pugs you ever saw call upon me with
view to doing business. "
sit doesn't seem possible"
81 tell you it's right. The things
making me desperate, I've always led a
respectable life, and to have this bugbear
bobbing up continually is enough to
drive man crazy"
II believe it's providential, Chump-
ley. l wouldn't accept that name Of
yours if crown went with it. It's just
as suggestive as Greenhorn would be.
Every one who hears it thinks Of a
chump. Have it changed and thank your
lucky stars that some one else stole it. I"
Detroit Free Press
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

At the Vagabonds' dinner Sir John
Robinson said he remembered in 1870,
when the air was full Of war and the
news intelligence thrilling, he met a
man of science who asked, my dear
fellow, when are you going to give us
something of interest in the papers
something about sun spots?' This was
not scientific joke, Sir John assured
his audience, but an actual symptom Of
that mans mental condition. West
minister Gazette
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Sunday School Discipline.

The head teacher in Sunday School
was much worried by the noise of the
scholars in the room next to him. At
last, unable to bear it any longer, he
mounted chair, and looked over the
the partition dividing the two rooms, to
see who the offenders were. Seeing one
boy little taller than the Others talking
agreat deal, he leant over, seized the boy
by the collar, lifted him over the parti-
ton, and banged him into a chair in his
room, saying;
Now, be quiet"
He then resumed his lesson until about
a quarter Of an hour later, when he saw
a small head appear round the door, and
a meek little voice said:
please, sir, you've got our teacher!'
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Vermont News.

Darius Wheeler of Bellows Falls was
killed at Ash5urnham Junction early Sat
urday morning. With a companion he
left Bellows Falls Friday night on
freight train for Boston, and left the
train at Ashburnham Junction. They
were walking on the track when the
train overlook them, striking Wheeler
and killing him instantly. He was 40
years old and unmarried.
Prof. N. ]. Whitehall, for the past IA
years principal of the Randolph high
school, has been engaged as principal
of the Montpelier high school, made
vacant by the death of Prof S.
J. Blanpied, at salary OF $1,70O
year. Prof. Whitehll graduated from
Dartmouth college in 1888, and with
the exception OF a short time at Island
Pond, has since that time been at the
head of the Randolph schools, where he
has done excellent work.
Twin sons were born to Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph Guyette of Bridport recently. 1t
is the third pair of twins born in that en-
terprising family.
Gilman B. Dodge and wife of Montpe-
lier celebrated their golden anniversary
at their home Saturday, assisted by a
large circle of relatives and friends. Mr..
Dodge is shoemaker and has followed
his trade all his life in this place, with
the exception of four years that he was
sergeant.at.arm at the state house. The
aged couple were presented with 500 in
gold and number of other valuable
gifts.
Mildred Brewsters condition for the
past few days is the most favorable for
recovery OF any time since May 20 when
in a jealous rage she murdered Annie
Wheeler at Montpelier and fired bullet
into her own brain. The paralysis
which has affected her partially since the
shooting is gradually disappearing and
DR.. c. E. Chandler, who has charge OF
the case, says that while recovery is very
doubtful from the nature of the wound,
her chances of life appear better today
than at any previous time. She still
wants to die but fears she is to get well.
She reads the daily papers and is much
interested in what is published regard
ing her case. Wesley c. Brewster, her
father, has engaged Speaker William A.
Lord, to take charge OF the defence if his
daughter RECEIVERS. The defence will be
insanity. Mr.. Brewster himself has re-
turned to his home in Highgate Center
because OF the improvement in her condi.
ton.
H. NJ. Dufur, who was shot and Sc
riously injured at White River Junction
two weeks ago, is rapidly recovering,
but will not be able to resume business
for two or three months. Although his
mouth and vocal chords were badly lac
Grated he will regain the full use of his
voice.
Mrs. Eliza Jewett SKATER died Friday
afternoon, aged 80 years. She was a
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Changing Silver Into Gold.

Professor Emmons, one of the most
skilled metallurgists in the country,
claims that in the reduction of silver the
molecules are so subdivided as to differ
so materially from that metal that they
can no longer be regarded as the same
substance, but new one and apparently
the parent of both gold and silver, or
the raw material out of which by diff
ferent arrangement of molecules either
gold or silver is constructed Working
on this theory, he finds that this new
metallic substance can be aggregated
into molecules Of greater density than
silver and precisely corresponding with
gold in color, in weight, so as to answer
to every test of the United States mint
as gold. In fact, he says it is gold,
though manufactured from silver, of as
much purity and value as that ever OBJ
tanned in any other way. With further
experiments on a large scale he expects
that the process Of manufacturing gold
from silver will be very materially
cheapened. AT present he gets about
four ounces of gold from six of silver.
This would seem to indicate that the
present number of elements as we'll as
our chemistry of metals would have to
be revised if Professor Emmons is not
mistaken in his experiments Jewelers
Review.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

The Roman Goddess of Health always
bore in her hand q serpent. The serpent
was the emblem of Esculapius, the
deity of physicians, and in Roman folk
lore it is said that during great pesti-
lence in Rome he appeared in that city
in the form Of serpent and staid the
plague.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

The Philadelphia Record thus ex-
plains the origin of the name Penn Yam,
N. Y: ut was built up conformity by
settlers from Pennsylvania and New
England, who were unable to agree up
on name for the new town until some
distorted brain suggested Penn Van as
combination of the words Pennsyl-
vania and Yankee 1t was adopted as
compromise and is still attached to the
place.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

There was a trial before Mr. Justice
Cave recently which, if correctly re-
ported, shows what is the profit of the
shareholders of The Times. Mr.. Adams
bought one-fourteenth of thirds Of
one-ninth Of two-sixteenths Cor ii, 512)
of The Times from Mr.. Brodie for 1858
on the assurance that this minute share
was worth about e25 per annum. Ac-
cording to him, after he had purchased
the share, he found it only to be worth
EFT year. On this he asked for dam
ages. The jury assessed the damages at
e65. Assuming this share to be worth
e18 per annum (Which seems about the
average value), it is clear that the net
dividend on all shares is 1915. Mr..
Adams, believing it to be worth 1858,
paid for it H. years purchase. The
jury valued it at e2SS, which, taking
the annual return at els, would be 16
years purchase, making The Times
worth e435, 456. This however, does
not quite correctly, I believe, represent
the value, for Mr.. Waller, as printer,
derives large profit on an old contract
This contract, in point of fact, represents
what may be called preference shares,
while those of the shareholders may be
termed ordinary shares, the value Of The
Times being tho sum total Of BOTH
London Truth.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

Some sensitive plants growing in
marshes in the southern states are pro-
vided with substitute for nerves, the
antenn@. or hairs, on the edges of the
leaves being the feelers. When touched,
the entire leaf shrinks away from the
hand.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
Value of Music In the Home.

Says the Woman's Home Companion.
I'VE do not have enough music in the
home. Children who sing at their work
will hardly quarrel, aud parents who
sing will find the burden of their task
grow lighter. There is rest and recrea-
ton in music. Once a fral minister who
thought the progressive wheels of the
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
A Cheerful Giver.

A primary teacher in Watervliet
Sunday school took for a subject "The
Lord loveth cheerful giver." She in
quired If any one knew what it meant,
when a little 4'year.old boy said:
Miss II, | know what that
means. "
well, George Edwin, what is itp"
1T means give whole lot and don't
cry over it. Troy Times.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09
A Result of Matrimony.

"Do you mean to say, Chumley, that
You spend less money since you were
married than you did before?"
"That's what it amounts to. I have
much less to spend. detroit Free
Press.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

Mud wasps manifest great ingenuity
not only in building their nests, but in
placing them in localities where they
will not be injured by rain or predacious
animals.
St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-09

II crave but One Minute" said the
public speaker in a husky voice; and
then he took dose of One Minute Cough
Cure, and proceeded with his oratorv,
One Minute Cough Cure is unequalled
for throat and lung troubles. Boynton
& Eastman.