davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Automatic Switch Stands.

Automatic switch stands are pro-
nounced desirable by the New England
Roadmasters' association, but only those
which have the perfect action given by
comparatively recent improvements
chat 10, those stands which embody in
ability to be thrown and looked unless
the switch points are home and also
have positive and simultaneous action
between the switch points and the tar
get, so that the latter gives never fail
ing indication of the position Of the
points. For the protection Of facing
switches the association Endorsed con-
tinuous metal plate, long enough to
reach across the track and under the
stock rails, instead of the first pair Of
slide plates ordinarily used. This is TO
have shoulders high enough to engage
the outside 1ange of the stock rails and
be punched to receive the braces. A lip
may be turned at each end of the plate
as an additional support to the braces,
and it is further recommended that all
facing switches in the main line be pro-
tected By home and distant sign ls, me-
chemically interlocked, and that Il busy
passenger yards the deteotor bar be used.
New York sun.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
A Cheerful Prospect.

A nervous young minister was filling
the pulpit for country charge that was
without regular pastor. A part of his
experience is touohingly related by the
local paper. The very pious cid lady at
whose house he staid, in showing him
his room, said.
at amt everybody I'd put in this
room. This here room is full of sacred
associations to me" she went ON. my
first husband died in that bed, with his
head on three pillows, and poor Mr..
jerks died sittin in that corner. Some.
times when come into the room in the
dark / think l see him sittin there
still. My own father died lyin right on
that lounge right under the window
there Poor pa, he was a spiritualist
and he allus said he'd appear in this
room after he died, and sometimes am
foolish enough to look for him. If you
should see anything of him tonight,
you'd better not tell me. It'd be a sign
to me that there was somethin in spir-
itualism, and I'd hate to think that My
son by my first man fell dead of heart
disease right where you stand. He was
a doctor, and there's two whole skele-
tons in that closet there belongin to
him, and half dozen skulls in that
lower drawer. If you are up early and
want somethin to amuse yourself before
breakfast, just open that cupboard the
and you will find a lot of dead ~
bones. My poor boy thought a 10.
them. Well, good night, and pio,
dreamsP' - Pittsburg Chronicle
graph"
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Wanted a Clock and a rjmepiece.

81 want something handsome in the
way of clock" he said to the jeweler.
eve have very fine line OF goods, "
was the response, "and the prices are
very moderate,
II don't care anything about the
price. want something that will show
at a glance that it cost whole lot of
money"
Certainly. We have some beautiful
imported goods"
"That's the idea-something that
came from abroad. Iwant an onyx ped
estal and ormolu trimmings and
statue ON the top of it..
Here's veritable work of art. y"
''That's pretty well, but I'd like
something more attractive than that.
It's to be a birthday present to my wife.
We haven't been keeping house very
long, and she's been worried for fear
people would think we were going with
out clock because we couldn't afford
one. I'm going to see that she has
something so handsome that it'll dazzle
everybody who comes into the parlor
and so precious that 1t has to be kept
under glass like a specimen in the mu-
scum.
'How is this one?" the jeweler in.
quired as he lifted massively ornate
article from a shelf.
"That's the very thing. That'll please
her almost to death. Pack it up and ship
it out to my house and send the bill to
my Office.
eth cost $685." the jeweler mildly
suggested.
That's all right. 1t looks as if it
were worth it. !"
He started for. the door, but came
back and said, "By the way, you'd bet
ter give me another clock-one Of those
small nickel plated affairs that cost
about 81 go so that we can stick it of
in an obscure corner to look at when
we want to know what time it is. -
Star.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Spanish InemcieuCy.

Spanish inefficiency has been shown
up in a ludicrous way ty Il recent self
floating of the new cruiser Princesa de
Asturias at Cadiz. The vessel, which it
had taken seven years to bui,d, got stuck
in the mud when they tried to launch
her over month ago. AfteH trying their
best to float her without success for 80
days the Spanish engineers gave up the
job, adopting the usual Micawber policy
of Spain of waiting TOR something to
turn up. They were justified by the
cruisers slipping into the water of her
own accord one afternoon when no one
was watching her.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
EVEN WITH THE DUN"
. Spectator Squares Himself With His
Lawyer Creditor.

Lawyer Creditor.
The lawyer had won all important
base for the man. He had dabbled in
stocks of one kind and another, and,
hard luck having overtaken him, he had
bolstered up his vanishing fortunes with
$50, 600 Of other peoples money.
But the other people had troubles of
their own. They had wants that needed
catering to, and when they found that
the dealer in stocks had invested their
means Of subsistence in an enterprise
that would benefit no one but himself
they arose with howl of righteous in
dignation and brought suit for dam
ages.
That was where the lawyer had his
chance. He knew the man was guilty,
and he told him SO. But for all that he
cleared him. He charged pretty big
fee, $3, 600 being q conservative estimate
of the value Of his services. The man
paid him 81, 500 i'll cash and promised
to give him the other 5000 a month or
two later. That was more than three
years ago. The lawyer patiently waited
Oh his client for year. and then he put
the matter i'll the hands of collector.
In the course of two years the collector
gathered in $500, and then, as his salary
was more than eating up the amount
collected, the lawyer took the case from
his hands and gave it to the office boy.
AS an incentive to energetic work, he
said:
Jimmie, there is 500 coming to me
from Mr.. -. If you can get anything
out of him, I'll give you half Of it. "
Jimmie's eyes snapped, and he went
to work. He labored diligently for three
months. Monday morning at / | o'clock
he would go into the Office and present
his employers claim, and so run the
gamut of the other five working days,
and then repeat the procedure the suo-
ceeding week. The man got mad about
it at first and threatened to throw the
boy out of the Office, but he finally
thought better of it and contented him
self with turning Jimmie away with
some singing rebuke.
Jimmie kept up the daily siege till
last Thursday. Then he was sick and
could not come down town. About 3
O'Clock the lawyer was in his private
office holding consultation with two
clients, when there came an imperative
rat-a-ta-tat on his door. He babe the
visitor enter, and head, half concealed
by shock of bushy red hair, was thrust
nto the room.
please, sir, " said high keyed voice,
''I'm from Mir. -, an he wants to
know why your boy amt been over to-
day to dun i'm for that 500 he owes
You. Chicago Tribune
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
PICKING CHICKENS TO MUSIC
Queer Customs of the italian Poultry
Dealers of San Francisco.

The sailor has bis musical shanty to
which he keeps time as he trots about
the capstun until the anchor is hoisted
to the peak, the farmer trills lay to
tighten his labors as be pitches hay into
the wagon, aud these songs are familiar
to many, hut who ever heard or saw
gang OF Italian chicken pjclers sing and
denude fowls to the time of the music?
Such s2eEe can be witnessed any
Friday evellng in season at the Clay
otreet market, while the employees of
the big poultry houses that have their
places OF business there are preparing for
sale the chickens that TIE housewife
buys for the Sunday dinner.
The men seat themselves in half cir
Gle and each takes u fowl One stroke
of sharp knife across the throat puts
the unfortunate squawking broiler out
OF Its misery, and then the foreman Of
the gang starts his song As they catch
the air aud the time the others chime
in, and Ill al instant the ptucking be.
gins. With rhythmic morton the nimhle
fingers grasp the feathers and pull them
out during all the time of the song.
Feathers fly in all directions, but the
song goes on until the last pinfeathers
are removed and the carcasses are tossed
into pile, ready for the man who puts
on the finishing touches and prepares
them for the inspection of prospective
purchasers.
The rapidity with which chicken is
stripped Of its feathers is astonishing to
the uninitiated who have tried it but
few times, and SO adept have these men
become that they finish their fowls al
most simultaneously, and the process is
repeated in unison. Three dozen birds
are not considered heavy nights work
for one man, aud when pressed for time
they manage to compass even more than
that
The song they sing is remarkably live
ly and sweet and much resembles the
song of the fishermen as they row their
boats though the time is much faster.
San Francisco Call.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
FOOD FOR THE CATS.
English sparrows Have to Fight For Their
Lives In London.

Engltsh SparrOWs Have To right For Their
Lives In London.
If left to himself, the London sparrow
would probably multiply exceedingly,
for there il enough waste from every
human household to keep at least one
pair of sparrows That would give some
thing like 1900 900 sparrows to the
area of greater London. But these fig
ures do not represent actual facts. The
sparrow population is vigorously kept
down, not by want Of fecundity-for at
the ZOO, for instance, where food and
shelter abound, the birds seem to breed
at all seasons OF the year-but by the
operation of She natural enemy, that
great fact in all wild life, which even
the progressive London sparrow cannot
avoid. The natural enemy in this case
is the London cat. If any one will count
up the mum Der of houses III his or her
knowledge which do not possess a cat,
the numbers and ubiquity of the natural
enemy will become apparent. Poor
people keep more cats than rich people,
so the small houses abound in cats.
Rich folsk' cats which have large
houses, as a rule, only catch the spar
rows on their own estate, but poor cats
have TO poach at large, and their ravages
among the young sparrows are prodi-
gious. 1t has been observed that spar
row killing cat bags on All average two
young birds day. No amount of cor
rection seems to prevent their indul-
gence in this form of sport. They know
it is wrong, but it is too fascinating.
One young cat of the writer's acquaint-
ance went into fit after a mild beating
for killing young sparrows, and as soon
as he recovered went off to catch an
other. A cat in the same house which
was surprised with two nailed nestlings
in its mouth slipped them underneath
mat on the stairs when it saw its mis-
tress approaching. Nature is too strong
for them, and the drawing room pussy
seems no more able to res It the taste
for sport than the stable cat-London
Spectator
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
SHOOTING A RUNAWAY.
He stopped the Horse, but 1t Was Elk
pensive.

He stopped the Horse, but 1t Was Elk
pensive.
AS The Star reporter was walking
along Fourteenth street with a man the
other evening a runaway horse dashed
up street and disappeared around the
circle of Thomas.
~ never see a thing like that" com.
mented the man, "tbat don't think OF
my own experience and at once thank
the Lord that live in land of street
cars. Let me tell you about it. I haven
owned horse for Is years, and I'll
never own another one. That many
years ago / thought horse was an alb
solute necessity 10 my happiness, and it
had to be good one. l lived at that
time in Cincinnati, and the only place
for driving was on the roads through
the hilltop suburbs. Well, l had bought
a fine horse from Kentucky which had
cost me $700"-
at takes those Kentuokians to get the
earth for horse" interrupted the re-
porter.
~ wouldn't be surprised" laughed
the man. Sin any event that's what l
had invested in the one I bought, and
he was an amateur as far as the city was
concerned and needed at least six
months driving about the streets before
he was worth anything as far as his
safety went The first Sunday had him l
went out on the hills to show him off,
for he was "a beauty, and l wouldn't have
sold him for twice what l gave for him
as he pranCed proudly through the sub
urban avenues, the observed of all OBJ
servers But he was the deuce to drive,
and had to keep on constant strain
to prevent his getting away with me.
"But this wasn't enough, and at the
turn of a road leading along slight
grade and out on to circle looking over
a precipioe at least 100 feet high into
the beautiful Ohio valley he jumped,
caught the bit in his teeth and off he
went sawed and pulled, but it did no
good, and when We struck the straight
road of about 200yards that meant sure
destruction unless l stopped him before
he reached the bluff at the end 1 put
forth all my endeavor.
$50 absorbed was in trying to save
him that we were nearly to the bluff
before l noticed, and then 1 couldn't
jump, as l had foolishly tied the lines
around my wrists when l first started,
a custom not entirely out of date yet.
1t meant dragging If / jumped, the most
dreadful kind of death, and preferred
to take my chances in the buggy Just
then policeman appeared at the circle,
and | began to yell at him to shoot the
horse, 1t seemed to me it took him a
half hour to catch on to what / wanted,
but it wasn't so long as that, and bang
went the pistol, and bang again and
the third time bang, all so qnick as
to be counted, and my horse
went down in a heap not so feet from
the edge Of the cliff and headed directly
for it. Two jumps more and the beau
tiful landscape sleeping so peacefully
below would have been streaked with
my mortal remains, and 500 wasn't
too high price to pay"
"Onoe, anyhow" ventured the re-
porter.
Eyes, once anyhow, but 1 didn't
want to try il again. And" concluded
the narrator, II gave the buggy and
stuff and the dead horse to the police
man for saving me and took the street
ear for home, which the same is good
enough riding for me- w ashington
Star
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
A Tax Upon Bachelors.

The news teaches US by way Of Eng
land that la@ has been passed by the
parliament of Argentina putting a tax
Oh celibacy. The text of the enactment
has not yet arrived at the Argentine
consulate, but it's general features are
given in London dispatch.
Every unmarried mae between the
ages of 80 and 80 years falls under the
provisions Of the law. He must pay to
the state q monthly tax, the amount of
which is determined by circumstances
over which he may or may not have
control. In particularly heinOus in
stances Of single hlessedness the mulct
is heavy. Ordinary misdemeanants in
celibacy escape more easily. There are
few conditions which may be pleaded
in mitigation OF complete abatement Of
damages Priests are not taxed.
The law is aimed directly at men, but
both sexes may be made to feel it. OF
course the men are considered the chief
offenders, since, in negotiations leading
to matrimony, they are supposed to take
the initiative. Moreover, they have all
Uho muheJ' ou' Cnolo are OIAOuh stnuOOn
in which the women may be considered
particeps criminis, accessories before or
after the fact.
Thus the maid or widow who, having
received the tender Of heart and hand,
promises the suppliant to be sister to
him, must give to competent court a
good and sufficient reason or else pay a
fine of 5000. What is worse, the fine
money goes 70 the rejected sutton who
makes complaints New York Herald.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

In addition to the Red Cross and the
White Gross there has just been estab-
lished in Vienna a new order, to be
known as the Green Gross. Its object is
to give suocor to Alpine climbers and
excursionists in mountain regions 1t
originated in the Austrian Alpine club.
The intention is to establish huts on
high mountains and to keep supplies and
relief stores or boxes containing articles
likely to be required iT"emergencies at
conveniently located points.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
The Poppy.

The poppy throughout the east is an
emblem of death. In many parts Of In
dia this flower is planted upon graves
and in cemeteries. Whether or not the
idea was suggested ~ the poisonous
character of the juice is uncertain. 1t
is believed that the poppy was known
as funeral plant to the ancient Egyp-
tians, for upon the tombs opened by Bel
zoni there appeared representations of
plants which were evidently intended
for y pies.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Alfred the Great.

According to the most reliable English
historians, Alfred the Great, in 872,
was the first English sovereign to wear
crown. From early inscriptions and
historical records it appears that the
Saxon kings before the time of Alfred
wore simply band of pearls around
the head as a mark of royal power.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Meet Trials Bravely.

Every child Of God has reason to pre-
sumo that he VIII have trouble in this
life. Who is there among the innumer-
able multitude of saints of God that
wears the diadem-that obtained it
without conflict! Even Jesus endured the
bitter agony of the cross before he reach
ed the throne he now occupies; so we
must have trials. We ought to meet
them bravely. God is our helper Those
who Eight the good fight of faith" will
conquer eventually. Who fights with
God is sure of winning. Though swords
be needed and the battle hot, Gods
strong arm will be our defense. Rev.
W. L. Mcdowell, Methodist, Philadel-
min
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

The morning glory has long been re-
garded as an emblem of coquetry. One
floral dictionary declares that this SYM
bolism Is derived from the extremely
transient nature of the flowers. They
bloom about sunrise and in two or three
hours have persisted.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Lesson of the Bicycle.

The more rapidly the cyclist rushes
along through the very midst of pranc-
ing steeds, the more need has he of
strictest wariness; the more victorious
our onward march against unbridled
foes to goodness, the more need have
we of eternal vigilance. Like the uni
verse system embraces within its i'm
measurable boundaries numerous other
systems, the smallest of which has its
Own orbit and orderliness Of movement,
to the eye of God "the new heaven
and the new earth" THE new JCrusa-
lem lis but the final circlmfsronce to.
ward which the ever widening circles
Of intellectual and moral advancements
are gradually moving. To our finite
minds all may seem chaos To the mind
Of the infinite, like this vision Of Eze-
klei, 1t has the appearance Of wheel
within wAeel"-nay, so absolutely
perfect is the adjustment that the
wheels appear to 'ium not when they
go-Rev. @. B. Adams, COHeyegaii ION
alist. Philadelphia.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

The Jersey City Woman's club pub
fishes little newspaper called Our Club
Outlook
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

The springjime has about it all the
freshness and beauty of the morning Of
life, and it comes to us laden with sweet
odors and bright hopes, with swelling
buds and bursting blossoms The sum
mer gives Us he full richness of sun life,
the ripening corn and fields Of harvest,
which tell of the full prime of life when
men and woTen are full of intellectual
vigor The autumn is like the long arm
Of the evening, when the shadows are
lengthenirg Ii tells us of maturity, 1t
tells us of decline. Winter is like the
night which mon call death, but which
is merely 81 'cp, although it looks like
death. We call it picture of death,
but it is only picture of sleep. Rev.
I. NJ. Halves, Presbyterian, Louisville.
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
Christ Is King.

Does Christ call you to test your
Christian sincerity by giving up your
own ease and comfort to do bis will
when you would prefer your own? Yes.
But he is your King. Does he ask for
your toll, yopr money, your time? Yes.
But he is your King. Does he sometimes
lead you forth by bitter waters, or bow
your head with SORROWS, or darken your
home with mourning? Yes. But he is
your King. Then, at the cross where he
redeemed you, crown him Lord Of all.
AT the GilRal, where he rolled off from
US the burden of our sins, let us renew
the kingdom Bishop Charles e. Che
ney, Episcopal, Chicago
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
An Up to Date RcIi~ioI

Much Of The basis Of theology is the
idea Of $50 years ago. Then it was
Eclty. Now the message is, God is
here" Tie idea that his kingdom is
coming is Il new Inspiration to the
world. What will the age believe ini
The old things will not do. Modern in
vention has made possible the human
brotherhood Evolution was decried on
ly little W bile ago, but it has torn
down the wall of 5000 years ago and
opened a mighty past. The telescope
has torn the roof of heaven and added
1000, 900, 900 worlds to our view. Mod
ern science has enlarged aud beautified
our world. II is Impossible TO meet the
demands of this enlightened age with
religion framed on knowledge of the
world long years ago Rev. Frank B.
Vrooman, Presbyterian, Chicago
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
4 GENERAL AGENCY.

An old-line Life Insurance Company, whose
policies are famous for their liberality, is prepar
ed 10 make a first. class contract for a General
Agency for this and adjoining counties with an
honest, wide awake and active gentleman,
with without experience, to give entire OF edyf
eCAis time Address: GENERAL AGENCY"
p. o. Box GA, New York. 1910
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
The Pulpit.

The pulpit is not u throne Of power
where the minister is to lord it over
Gods heritage Yet it is throne of
power, above the thrones Of princes,
from which heavon's mandates are to
be sent forth The pulpit is the palla-
dunn of the church, the tower of the
flock That the power which the pulpit
once welded has in measure fallen in
to other hands we must admit, but that
the power is lost we just as stoutly de-
ny.--Rev Dr.. Harcourt, Methodist,
PHILADELPHIA
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15

may repeat a creed until am dumb
aud you are deaf, aud il do uno thing
and say another you will say your pro-
fession and your life are both lie. We
do not deceive God. We do not deceive
orr fellows. We Go not deceive our
selves. Rev. Dr. B. L. Whitman, Pres
ident Columbi University, Washing
The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1897-01-15
A Clearer Vision Needed.

We need a clearer vision concerning
our duty to the old and the young. Christ
was a redeemer and a teacher, but he
was also philosopher. In the picture
of Christ clasping the little child to lis
breast we have an example Of that. He
wanted to hold the world. And he knew
that if he got hold of the world 1t world
be by holding the children. He got tho
world through the child hsld i'll his
arms.-Rev Sherman W. McCorkle,
Methodist, PittsDuTg.