davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES.
Some of Their Advantages Over Steam
Engines for Switching.

Some of Their Advantages Over Steam
Engines for Switching.
The most striking thing about the be-
havior of the electric locomotive is the
certainty with which it may be moved
over short distances, varying from few
inches to a few feet.
The obedience of the motors to the
controller is practically instantaneous,
thus doing away at one stroke with one
of the chief draw backs to steam switch
ing engines. with which there is no
ticeable delay between the time when
the throttle valve is opened and the piss
tons begin to move, in this way often
causing the engineer, no matter how
careful he may be, to overshoot his
mark
This delay in action, while generally
onlya few seconds in each case, amounts
up seriously in the case of whole days
work, and is the chief cause of the pro-
verbal lateness of freight trains which
have much switching to do at inter-
mediate stations.
From the fact that the movement of
the electric locomotive can be gradual
ed so nicely, full third of the time
usually occupied by steam locomotives
can be saved, particularly as single
empty cars unprovided with automatic
couplings need never be hunted off by
too rapid an approach of the engine, as
frequently happens under switching
conditions as they now are.
Again, the acceleration of the electric
locomotive is so even that the freight
cars of a comparative long train are
started, one after another, without
jerking and without apparent strain. A
weak draw bar is thus protected against
sudden fracture, and no leasing Off"
with consequent reduction in speed and
delay in getting under way, is neces-
sary, as in the case of the steam loco
motive.
The electric locomotive, further, is
fitted with a quicls-acting air brake, the
pressure for which is kept at its maxi
mum by an automatic electric air pump,
instead of the comparatively slow-act-
ing steam brake which is usually at
tached to steam switching engines.
The hardness with which an electric
locomotive may be operated is another
point in it's favor. There is neither the
internal pressure of the steam against
the throttle valve nor the stiffness and
weight of the link reversing gear to
overcome. A dainty controller handle,
which could be moved by child. and a
reversing handle almost equally light
and movable, open and arrange the
paths for the current.-Cassier's Maya
zine.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
PERSONAL AND LITERARY.

lord Charles Eeresford will soon be
promoted to flag rank, it s sad. He
will be the youngest rear al niral in ths
British navy.
Although "The Duchess" was wit
ty and companionable woman she was
exceedingly homely. She was small of
figure and she had red hair.
The Scotsman, a prominent Edin-
burgh literary review, thinks that the
subject of Mr.. Barrie's Margaret
Ogilvy" is "alien and repulsive to the
Scottish nature"
A new musical prodigy has ap-
pcared in Vienna in the person Of Paula
Salt, ten-year-old girl. who is said to
rival Josef Hofmann in piano playing,
and also shows a remarkable genius for
composition.
Henry Irving is remembered in
London 81 years ago as young elocu-
Zionist of considerable power. He read
scenes from "Virginius" and THE
Lady of Lyons" to appreciatiye audi
ences in 1860.
Queen Victoria's apartments in the
new hotel at Cimicz comprise more
than 140 rooms. Most of them have
been sumptuously decorated for royal
occupancy, much of the furniture hav-
ing been purchased in London. The
queens bed, easy chair and footstool
were brought from Windsor castle. Vic
toria's health is said to be reasonably
good, and as for the talk of her pros
pective abdicntion Henry Labouchere
says: 1.-THE queen no more eontem-
plates abdication than swimming across
the Solent."
Don Miguel Ahumada has proved
himself model governor of the state of
Chihuahua. Mexico. During his first
term of Office, without increasing tax
alton, he paid off about three-quarters
of the public debt of the state, amount
irg to 100000, while at the same time
more than doubling the educational
facilities for the young, securing the
establishment of large number of new
commercial and manufacturing enter
prses, erecting hospitals and con-
structing water works which are un-
egualed in the republic of Mexico.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
ELECTRIC FARMING.
The Use of the Dynamo on Hill.
Country Farms.

Country Farms.
Great strides are being made in Ger
many in the way of applying machinery
TO many lines of industry,
But perhaps most remarkable of all is
the application of dynamos to agricul-
ture, supplying the three elements of
heat, light and productive energy, as
well as labor.
On one of the new electric farms a
turbine drives q dynamo which lights
the barns, yards and dwellings, and fur
nishes a current of low tension to work
pumps, run straw cutter lathe, grind
stone, large handsaw and thrashing ma
chine. One machinist attends to the
entire plant, which experience proves
has reduced the expenses of the farm in
considerable degree.
This new method of farming has al
ready displaced labor to an extent that
is making farm laborers very anxious.
Not only does the electric farmer"
compete disastrously with the old
timer, but the electricity SO stimulates
the growth of his crops by night that he
reaps double advantage.
When one reflects to what a vast ex-
tent Germany is agricultural the intro
duction of an invention that is to make
thousands of farm laborers unneces-
sary seems fraught with serious conse-
quences.-Boston Globe.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
WIT AND WISDOM.

--Maud--"What do you consider
mans greatest fault?" Edth-"His
scarcity. Times-Union.
-"Prisoner at the bar" said his Lord
ship, solemnly, having donned tho
black cap, you will shortly have to ap-
pear before another and-perhaps-
better judge. "-Household Words.
-Mamie-"Jael didn't remove his
arm from around my waist but once
during the entire evening"" Ada
What was the matter then? ?" Mamie
"Ile had to go hometown Topics.
THAT exchange editor is enthusiasts
tic about his work. Notice the little gold
shears he wears on his watch chain %
Eyes; and even his diamonds are PASTE"
Cincinnati Commercial Tribune.
John" said the landlady to the
landlady's husband, 81 am sure heard
burglar in the bathroom. Go and
look" He went. and soon returned.
"Well?' said she. you heard no
burglar" he answered.; "all you heard
was bare omer."-Cincinnat En-
quirer.
-"Supposing." said Willie Wishing
ton, that | were to make up my mind
to earn my own living by profession.
What would you advise me to study?"
And Miss Cayenne, after gazing at him
thoughtfully for moment, simply
answered.: Observation-Disclosures
Star.
1.-THE first duty of the attorney"
said the eminent lawyer to his new
student, sis TO see that justice is done"
Him." said the student, land | hope
you will excuse me If / remark that
have noticed that the lawyer who can
succeed in doing her the oftenest gen.
orally gets the biggest fee."-Cinein-
natl Enquirer.
Hearing faint rustic in the dark
ened hallway below, the elder sister,
supposing the young man had gone,
leaned over the balustrade and called
out: ''Well, Bessie, have you landed
him?o There was a deep, sepulehral
eilence for some moments; it was
broken by the hesftating. constrained
voice of the young man: "She has,
Hartford Times.
My son." said the long, grimy man
with nothing TO do, "do you know that
that banana peel you have thrown on
the sidewalk is likely to trip some pass
ing pedestrian?' "You don't care, do
gou?" retorted the small boy. Certain
ly care. Why should you waste banana
peels in tripping pedestrians when it
world be much more exciting to throw
them in the street and down seorch-
r?"-Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

One of the most remarkable of war
inventions is attributed to the ingenuity
of Frenchman, Paul Giffard. His
miracle gun" is a repeating rifle which
employs no gunpowder. Liquifed air,
obtained at a pressure hundreds Of de-
grees below zero, and thus represent
ing an enormous expansive power, is
the projecting force. This rifle is de-
scribed as being much lighter than an
ordinary rife The steel cartridge, nine
inches long and as thick as ones thumb,
contains 300 bullets, which may be dis
charged as quickly or slowly as desired.
There is no smoke and no flash, only a
sharp and low report. As soon as one
cartridge is empty another can be
screwed on instantly. 800 shots costing
but az cents.-Chicago Chronicle.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
FrIgidity and Fertility.

Speaking of places where the Their
mometer gets down to a low point, the
coolest locality in the United States,
leaving Alaska out of the account, is
the Red River valley, from Fargo to
Pembina. Forty below zero is not I'M
common extreme winter temperature
in that valley. Yet this valley is one of
the most productive agricultural dis
tricts in the world, and is often called
the bread basket of America, from its
enormous yield of wheat Extremely
cold weather has no effect on the fer
tility of the soil.-Boston Herald.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
LAST BUFFALO HUNT.
Defiant Death of the bison Monarch
of Great salt Lake.

Denant Death OF the ulsOn Monarch
of Great salt Lake.
The last buffalo in Utah, one of the
few remnant of the millions which
roamed the vast plains of the west, was
killed on Antelope island, in Great Salt
lake, lately by party of hunters or
gained for the purpose.
lie died as he had lived-with his face
to the enemy, defiant to the last.
Antelope island is ON the southern end
ofGreat Salt lake, 20 miles from the MAIN
land, itself about 2J miles in length and
from eight to ten miles in width. 1t is
wild and weird place. 1t is uninhab-
tied, save for two or three small
ranches, the owners of which indulge
in cattle raising.
Here, undisturbed, save when some
men invaded his feeding grounds, this
buffalo had lived for number of years.
How he gained the island no one knows.
He was found there seven years ago. 1t
was against the law to kill buffalo, and
those who found him let him go in
peace.
About year ago, however, the old
buffalo changed his tactics and declared
war. He came out into the open and
fought everything living that crossed
his path. Not having anything in the
open to conquer, the buffalo took to
going through barbed wire. He freed
every rancher on the island scores of
times.
Some weeks ago, after he had slain
very valuable thoroughbred colt, it
was decided that he must die.
Under command of Lannan, a party
left Salt Lake City early one morning
for Pennington, where they embarked
in a sailboat for the island.
The old fellow had taken up position
as far from the abodes of men as he
could get, up little canyon in the
northern end of the island. All the
party were on horseback and securing
the country for him. With a defiant
snort the buffalo raised his shaggy head
and started towards Edwards at rap
| id rate. For three miles there was the
prettiest race man ever looked upon.
Finally the buffalo halted. Shaugh-
messy was singled out by the enraged
animal. He charged directly at him, and
so suddenly that the colonel had no time
for anything but snap shot, which was
not fatal Then Brown sent bullet
through the old fellows heart. He
halted. stood still for minute, and with
a half below, defiant to the last, fell
| dead.-San Francisco Examiner.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

Big sleeves blocked an important
Paris thoroughfare the other day. A,
young woman was sailing down the Rue
Richelieu by the Bibliotheque Ma
tionale, taking up most of the side
walk, when a polite old gentleman, to
make room for her, stepped into the
street directly in front of a passing cab.
The driver pulled his horse up to avoid
running over him. when the beast fell
down, and in two minutes there was a
solid block of omnibuses, cabs, BIZ
cycles and delivery carts filing the.
street for over an hour.-N. Y. Sun.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
rhn ChenrfnI Idint.

at must have been very tender
hearted butcher who killed this lamb"
said the Cheerful Idiot, pausing in the
saving OF his chop.
''Why?" kindly asked the shoe clerk
boarder.
"He must have hesitated three or
four years before striking the fatal
blow."-IAdia1spolis Journal.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
Too Personal.

An uptown little girl of very tender,
years came from a neighbours house eat
ing a large banana. II amt agoin' to
play with Mabel no more" she prompt
" announced. "Vhy?" asked her mann
ma. "'Cause she called me names"
1Wby. what did she call you?" she
called me banana sneak" "a banana
sneak? Why did she call you that"
cause l sueaked her biggest banana"
And she went on eating it.-Clevelapd
Plain Dealer.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

Chicle. an emulation Of the sapota
tree Of Mexico. is the basis of all the
chewing gum manufactured in the
United States. Over 1000, 900 pounds Of
this gum are imported into this coun-
try annually, the product being valued
at s1,5oo,ooo. One factory made over
1oo,0OO,oOo pieces Of gum last year
Chicago Inter Ocean.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

"Thls is my niece, Mr.. Creighton.
Mr.. Harrison used to speak of her as a
little girl, and you may imagine my
surprise when this tall, stately young
lady was ushered in upon me-"
"a very charming surprise, l should
imagine" was the response, spoken in
rich, musical tones, 'as she will prove
so much more companionable for you.
How very pretty she is" he added,
turning to his companion, as the young
girl, after standing moment beside
them, crossed the lawn and stopped to
gather some flowers.
"Do you think so? Rather too child
ish q type of beauty to suit my taste.
However, l am somewhat critical"
"At which no one can wonder, when
your mirror reflects so high a stand
ard"
1t was summer and Mrs. Harrison
was in her beautiful home upon the
Hudson, where was enacted this little
scene. Three years had passed since he
who had amassed for her all this wealth
had beeen stricken down, and delicate
lavenders and creamy laces relieve the
somber hue Of her widows dress. Her
house is filed with guests, but he, the
latest to arrive, to whom she had eX-
tended but an hour ago the hand of
welcome, is honored beyond them all.
That he would ever stand beneath her
roof, accept her hospitality, had been a
prayer she never dreamed would meet
with fulfillment. Yet here he Is. Her
hand was laid in his; his voice, with
none of its old sweetness gone, assured
her that not yet has he found forget
fitness. And down deep in her very
soul the smoldering embers arc famed
into n flame, which burns all the more
ferceIy because so long suppressed.
Weeks passed, the June roses fade,
the July sun beams upon the soil, but
each day brings new youth and fresh
beauty to the fair hostess.
tits evening, and Max Creighton PAGES
the rose-bordered walk alone. A cigar
is in his mouth and thick clouds of
fleecy smoke rise and encircle the hand
some head. His thoughts seem to be
happy ones, for in his eyes CLEANS n
deep light, and smile is on his lips, a
smile which deepens as he catches sight
Of q girlish form on the terrace beyond,
and he quiclSens his steps until another
moment brings him TO her side.
"What happy chance has brought you
here alone, Miss Kate? ] was just
thinking of you Do you know that dur
ing this last month have been learning
q secret?-a secret which I was this
moment longing to unburden to some
one-which soon ] should have had to
whisper to the flowers and trees, If ]
had not spied you out; and now viii you
listen?"
a scarlet flush swept over the girls
fair cheek; a flush the mans eye failed
lot to note as she answered:
"In order to save the trees and flow
ers from so serious q responsibility, ]
suppose 1 shall have to- Mr. Creighton"
"Nay, I must have a willing listener,
for I need all her patience. I must go
back n long while, Kate-eight years.
Then YOU were a little child Of ten,
while was "a; a foolish boy who
thought himself possessed of ell the
wisdom Of matured manhood-ah! it
seems but yesterday!-when sud-
denly the whole world appeared TO
he wrapped IN rose-colored clouds.
/ fsl' rcadly, dsspcrotely il love;
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

ofia
eAlk
leeast
Occur.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20

Prof. Simon Newcomb in recent
paper discussed the question of stellar
distances. He said the stars of small
magnitude were evidently not as re-
mote from the earth as their faintness
would indicate, and this fact would
seem to warrant the inference that the
visible universe has a definite limit in
space-Youth's COMPANION.
The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
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The Van Buren press., 1897-03-20
HEB ATONEMENT.
BY JENNY WREN.

Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust
to dust" The solemn words were SOL
EMMY uttered, the earth thrown upon
the coflin-lid, the mournful pageant dis
persed, awed and silent, while the long
Grape veil and bowed head of the young
widow concealed her grief from every
eye. Yet, could she have exposed her
face, there would have been seen only a
strange pallor, only dry eyes lowered
TO the ground, only her pale lips form
ing one word which kept ringing in her
heart until it seemed as though she
must shout it aloud-"Free. Free!"
Yet the man to whom the sad fare
well duties were being rendered had
given her his last glance of love and
trust. What that trust had been, how
entire and complete, was proven when
his will was opened and his whole i'm
mense fortune left therein to her free
will and disposal. No conditions marred
his noble confidence. To the woman
with whom he had lived two short
years of unalloycd happiness, he gave
all he had to give freely, generously,
asking nothing at her hands in return,
only that she might provide home and
support for his orphan niece, and even
this request was made under the seal
of private letter.
Maude Harrison had played well her
part. When she gave her hand to the
man now dead her heart was another's,
but no suspicion of the truth ever
crossed his mind. That she, who stood
with him at the altar, whose eyes shonc
with the fire Of love, who lay elasped
to his heart, who pressed her lips to
his, had perjured herself by her very
VOW, was false as she was fair, would
have been beyond his widest dreams of
fancy; and so, happy in his blindness,
he closed his eyes for the last time, feel
ing that the only bitterness in death lay
in the fact that he must cross the dark
river alone, leaving her sad and desolate
upon the shore.
When Kate Leonard first came home
from school where she had spent four
years and met the young and beautiful
woman whom her uncle had called wife,
and, glancing at her own somber
mourning, recalled the fact that they
both shared the same deep grief, a
Plying love sprang up in her heart as
she clasped hernew aunt in her embrace.
Her welcome was all that she could ask,
and while she went to her own room
and laid her head upon her pillow with
out thought, the older woman sat for
hours opposite her mirror, studying the
face reflected there.
"She is young and lovely, while am
growing old. All, conceal it as l may,
my 25 years are leaving their mark. l
have no longer the freshness Of 10.
viii your eye detect it, Max? All, my
love, my one only love!"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-02-24
"REMINISCENCES Of THE REBELLION.
SPORT ArLOAT.
A Boats Crew Has a Mornings Rscres-
tion From Wars Labors.

Early in the Spring OF 1864 the United
States gunboat, Forest Rose. was steamine
down the Ohio River on her way from Padu-
cab to Carlo, Ill. 1t had just struck three
bells in the morning watch when the
Quartermaster on duty sighted an object
moving across the river from the Kentucky
to the Illinois shore ahead OF us. The off,
Ger OF the deck and the Captain, by the
aid OF their glasses, soon made 1t out to be a
big deer.
Hastily calling away boat, Capt Wright,
Ensign Ericsson and Masters Mate Altering
jumped in. They were each armed with
one OF the Spencer rifles, which had lust
come into use The boats crew consisted OF
four oarsmen and coxswain, the writer
pulling the bow oar.
By the time we were well under way the
deer was about hundred yards ahead OF us,
and seemed to know he was swimming for
his life. We bent to our oars as II ours were
ut stake. The officers all commenced shoot
Ing as fast as possible, as from the peculiar
motion OF the boat II was almost impossible
to take aim, so each hoped for chance shot to
take effect As the officers wero In the stern
sheets, extra weight aft caused the bow to rise
In water. thereby throwing m1 head almost
In line with their shots. The way the
bullets sung within few inches of my head
was not at all pleasant.
We were rapidly gaining on the deer, but
as 1t was getting close to shore 1t was evi-
dent that 1t would escape unless we cou d
shoot 1t. The deer had already struck
bottom and made one lerp toward life and
liberty, when shot from the Captains rifle
disabled him, and blow from the boathook
settled him. Passing rope around his
horns we towed him back to the gunboat, and
all hands had venson for dinner that day
3. j. CAPps, Capps, Colo.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-02-24

At the conclusion OF the readng OF the
bills in place, there followed what is consid .
cred the most important action OF the state
Legislature thus far namely the final reading
of bills. The first Is nm act to provide for
the pay and mileage OF coroners for viewing
body when no inquest is held. The bill was
passed by q vote of 157 to 10, and is the
first measure made law by the present
body.
February ia score or more OF resolu-
tions OF more or less importance were pre-
sented.
Many committees reported bills also.
Among those recommended afilrmatively
were those authorizing the purchase of un-
seated lands for the non-payment OF taxes
for the purpose OF creating a state forest res
ervation. Another bill recommended af-
flrmatively was that providing that all
material and furniture for constructing and
furnishing the new capitol building be pur-
chased from Pennsylvania firms and individ-
uals.
About forty bills we're given first reading
by the clerk. As no action is taken on nrst
reading this portion Of the session was purely
a display OF lung power.
An attack on Frank Moore, agent OF tho
department OF agriculture, and gen orally
known as food commissioner, was made In
the house this morning by Representative
George NJ. Hosack, OF the Fifth district, who
accuses him OF being In collusion and on
altogether too friendly terms with the oleo
dealers,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-02-24
Sheridan's Ride,

Editor National Tribune: / wish to ask
you question, and hope, If you car. you
will answer 1t by mail. 1t Is rs follows:
Where did General L. II. Sheridan start from
and where did his ride end? How far did he
ride, and what was the time the ride was
mnde inY have heard several persons give
their view. on the subject yet none seem to
know much about 1t. So thought would
write to you about 1t, believing you would
know rs well as anyone can think Of The
ride was made October 10, 1864, near Win
chester. Va.-ESocH CoLroS, Adams Cen
ter, N. Y.
Sheridan's own account says: ave mount
cd our horses between $50 and 0, and rs we
were proceeding up the street which leads
directly through Winchester from the Logan
residence" where he had spent the night.
Ho rode forward "at a regular pace" stop.
ping from time to time to learn the news and
give orders, until he came to Mill Creek,
when he learned the full dimensions OF the
disaster from Colonel Wood, his chief com.
missary. He then took two of his aids,
Major Forsyth and Captain O'Keefe, and
started forward on gallop. He says that
he "arrived not later, certainly, than 1890
o'clock" The distance was eleven and one.
half miles.-Editor National Tribune.l