davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The herald., 1898-08-14
THE MUCH-ABUSED SPIDER
Good Work They Do--Remarkable Feats Of
Skil--Aeronauts, Engineers, Sailors,
Divers, Masons, Weather
Prophets

There is no other creature SO universally
distributed over the entire land surface of
the globe as the spider. And we may be
thankful that 1t Is so. Few persons real
lie how much mankind is indebted to these
despised members of the Arachnoid fam
lily. not only for our daily comfort, but for
the possibility OF a higher development Of
our race.
1t is, perhaps. not claiming too much for
this little eght-footed and eight-eyed dem
lien of our homes, our gardens, our fields
and our forests to assert that we could
better spare all the horses In the world
than the unnumbered millions Of spiders
that are working day and night in every
nook and corner of this habitable globe to
keep down to moderate proportions the In
Vulnerable and rapidly multiplying swarms
Of insect pests that are born into the world
every day.
Think for moment what each indefati-
gable spider is doing for his unapprecia-
tive ally, man. There were found entangled
In the meshes of one geometrlc web, only
two days old. 25S insects, small and great.
In another there were thirty-eight mos
Quitoes. In another, under a bridge, more
lilttl Twice dS Hlatly. L he very small Spluers
prey upon gnats and other minute insects
and devour myriads of what would other
wise make life an intolerable burden to
US.
What funny fellow a spider is, with his
eight round eyes, dotted over the front OF
his head; his seven-Jointed legs Of varying
length, all fastened to the fore-part Of his
body, and his lack of a neck and ears. He
is not very pretty. either, as general
thing. though like the rest of us, he can
not help that. But he is clever and makes
the most of his opportunities.
The Superior Sex
l said he, but l should have used the
pronoun she for the great majority of
spiders, and particularly the useful ones
are of the feminine gender. 1t is the fe-
male spider that spins the silk that is
woven into nets and snares, lines nests
The herald., 1898-08-14

two incehs wide in the middle but tapering
at the ends. 1t then spins out from the
front end two lines about thirty feet long
and from the stern another line about
twenty feet long, thus joining these lines
at the bottom, It detaches Its craft and sails
aloft. carrying a portion Of It's family
along.
These little aeronouts choose warm
pheasant days, with gentle southern
breeze. to start on their air balloon voy-
ages. II the afternoon they descend q.
will to the ground A great cloud Of these
The herald., 1898-08-14

and envelops the numerous eggs in a sac.
Unlike the siX-legged insects, the spider
undergoes no metamorphosis, but belongs
TO a higher order Of creatures and is
Matched from the egg, like a chicken
From 400 to 1900 minute eggs, according to
the species, are rolled up in round, white,
silken ball and carried about on the back
of the mother spider for a fortnight, till
they are ready to be Matched. She defends
the egg ball with true maternal devotion
and with her life If need be, never parting
with 1t for moment
At the proper time she tears the slken
covering apart and myriads of little spiders
are released and swarm all over her body.
They remain with the parent only a few
days, however. and then strike bravely out
for themselves. The young spider spins a
fine almost microscopic thread, which is
waited upward till it touches and adheres
TO some neighboring twig or leaf, and then
she hangs suspended, ready for her prey,
as minute as herself. She rapidly grows
larger and presently fashions a more
elaborate contrivance for capturing her
food.
In mythology Arachne was goddess who
dared to compete with Minerva in trial
OF skill at the loom. AS a punishment for
her temerity she was changed into a spider,
still retaining her power of weaving web
as fragile, delicate and graceful as any
product Of human skill ever produced.
Making Their Webs
In making their silken webs and select
Ing locations for their attachment these
little engineers accommodate themselves to
the varied conditions they have to meet,
displaying marvellous skill, perseverance,
ingenuity and almost human intelligence.
One Of the most striking webs is that con-
structed by the garden spider, whose scien-
tific name is Epeira Diadema She is also
called the geometrical spider, because of
the remarkable accuracy of the figures she
weaves in forming her net.
Tho threads OF the spider webs are spun
from spinarets, of which there are usually
four, though sometimes six, each pierced
with from 400 to 1000 holes or tubes SO small
that they can only be examined with MI
croscope. Through each Of these tubes q
little nlament Of SILK protrudes; At frst .
The herald., 1898-08-14

spider descended. and, injecting a speck Of
poison into Its foe. quickly stilled 1t for
ever. The spider then ingeniously drew
the wasp up to It's web and into its den.
Spiders as Prey
Spiders multiply very fast, but they also
have their enemies. A naturalist exploring
the islands off South Carolina for the pur-
pose Of investigating the habits Of the silk
spider, gathered 1858 nests or cocoons, ana
found on examining few of them that each
contained from 800 to 1900 little spiders, and
concluded that there must be 200 900 in the
lot. He waited some weeks for the young
spiders to break open the cocoons them
selves. and then examined few more spec
linens. He found that considerable num-
Der were empty Of spiders. but in their place
were little nests OF ichneumon flies, which
had first absorbed the spiders. He SUISSE
quently found that some of these ichneu-
mon nests had been rifled by an enemy OF
their own-the chacidian insect. Whether
the latter were similarly decimat ted by yet
other insects the naturalist did not learn,
but If so it would only be another illus
tration OF the old couplet:
"Fleas have smaller fleas to bite 'em,
And SO on ad intinitum."
But spiders have other enemies. Besides
being the victim of carnivorous insects
they are consumed in great numbers by
birds and reptiles. Toads and frogs de-
YOUR them by the thousand. They are
eaten, indeed, by some savage tribes in
America, Africa and Australasia And II
nutritious for birds and frogs, why not for
human beings, who regard the former as
delicate and savory dish Is clean,
plump, gold and crimson spider more re-
pulsive to the eye of a philosopher who
discards conventionality than clam OF
shrimp raked from the ooze Of the sea-
shore?
Some Peculiarities
For spiders are very neat and particular.
You hear the expression, dirty spider"
No such thing; she is very fastidious. The
Epeira will shake and dust her web to get
all the dirt off :then she will use her brush
like feet and claws and pick on and brush
off every particle Of dust from her person.
While thus engaged she sits like cat
cleaning herself.
Several hundred kinds Of spiders are de-
ecribed by haturAiists. While ordinary
iasscfs have but elk legs. IN spldsrs hsvs
The herald., 1898-08-14

viscous fluid, but quickly hardening into
firm, flexible thread, and then they are all
Joined into one strand, and It would take
many Of these strands to make one as
large as hair of your head.
But 1t is a fact that the brilliantly
marked garden spider spins two kinds of
thread-one that is a smooth, pearly gray.
and inelastic, which forms the framework
and radii or spokes of her web, while the
other is yellowish and strung with little
gobules Of viscid, sticky matter and forms
the concentric circles which serve TO en-
tangle the legs and bodies Of her prey
There are about 200 of these vlscd
globules to the inch of silk thread. Accord
ingly a large net of fifteen inches In dame
ter will contain upwards of 10000 globules;
yet she will finish weaving the entire COM
pick snare in forty to fifty minutes. When
confined In large glass jar she will spin
one of her wheel-shaped webs so true that
1t will be nearly geometrically accurate.
Having finished her elaborate web, the
spider conceals herself in one corner. under
a sheltering leaf or in silken grotto con-
structed by herself. with one foot Resin g
on the rim of the web. Along comes fly
and blunders against a vscous thread and
Jars the entire web. The alert spider
rushes to the center of the web and quickly
feels of each spoke TIL she touches the
one agitated by the fly. when she proceeds
cautiously towards it and dextrously
throws loop over Us wings, stings and
paralyzes 1t with her falces, cuts 1t loose
from her web and carries 1t to her den and
eisurely feasts upon her captive.
1.-The spiders touch, how exquisite fine;
Feels at each thread and lives along the
line"
Selling It's Prey
How does the spider seize its prey? A
great buzzng was heard one day in the
corner of the barn. On searching, wasp
was seen tuttering considerably below a
SPIDERS web. The wasp was held by one
hind leg by single thread OF little spider,
which was watching the struggles of its
victim from above. Presently the wasp
tried to free the imprisoned foot with its
other leg. Then the spider ran down the
thread and threw a moose of silk over the
other foot of the wasp and tied the two feet
together. The wasp continued Its struggles
till its strength was exhausted; then the
The herald., 1898-08-14

it's food was flies, grasshoppers and To-
Gusts 1t shed its skin several times, and
at last died during the process.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
COUNTY NEWS.
sor additional County Ne,es see other pages


Amherst.
John Clark and wife, OF Bangor, were in
town over Sunday.
Miss Gertrude Nickerson, who has
been with her sister several months at
Southwest Harbor, is home for short
time.
Mrs. George B. Foster has gone to
Brewer, where her husband has employ
ment. They will reside there during the
summer.
Miss Inez Durham, daughter of MIR.
and Mrs. J. G Durham, and Irving Frost,
son of Mr.. and Mrs. Mark Frost, OF Ma
riaville, were married Thursday evening,
May 10, at the home of the brides grand
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Elijah Richardson.
Rev. A. Cullens officiated. The bride and
groom have the congratulations OF large
number of friends. Mr.. and Mrs. Frost
will reside with the brides parents.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

West Brooksvilie.
Arthur Grindle, Bangor, has bee II
spending a week vacation in town.
Barker Blodgett, Sewall Tapley and +.
f. Shepardson are at work in Castine.
Herbert Wescott and family of Connec-
ticut, are visiting Mrs. Andrew Wescott
Hotel Halves has been painted and
OF herwise improved, and is now ready FOR
summer tourists.
Mrs. Lydia Emery, Bangor, who for
some time has been visiting her sister,
Mrs. William WATSON, returns home to-
day.
Miss Elizabeth Ellison, who has spent
the winter in Bangor, has returned home.
All are glad to welcome her back, for al
ways ready for every good work her help
in the society and church is greatly
missed
Steamer "Csstine" which has been off
for repairs left here Saturday with an eX-
cursion party, stopping at the various
landings between here and Belfast. A
large number improved the opportunity
for trip to Belfast and return for %
cents.
May 3d. H.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
A TRAITORS DEATH.
Fate of an Informer Who Betrayed the
Plans of His Fellow Prisoners.

There were come traitors even in the
Union army, remarked a veteran. 81 saw
one of them meet his end, although l was
sorry to see him die in just the way he
did.
at was at the rebel prison at Camp
Sumter, one of the worst prisons used dur
ing the war The prisoners, of course,
were always planning escapes. That was
all we could do to relieve the monotony Of
prison life, and while it was probable that
any attempt we might have made would
have been unsuccessful, yet We did not
care to have the guards know what we
were trying to do, for they were none too
gentle with us at best.
somehow or other, though, the prison
officials always learned of every plan we
made out, and we were at loss to discov-
or who had betrayed us, until one day We
caught Union soldier who had been
nicknamed Chiokamauga giving informa-
ton to one OF the guards When we up
braided him, be weakened and began to
cry, saying that he bad told on Us In the
hope Of getting his own release thereby.
There were hundreds OF men IN the prison
at that time, and We made the poor fell
lows life miserable for him from that
time on. We refused to speak to him or
long before he began 70 feel the Disgrace
deeply.
AT Camp Sumter, as at most OF the
rebel prisons, there was n dead line-that
is, q low wooden fence inside the walls OF
the stookade, beyond which no prisoner
could go without mourning the risk OF be-
ing shot. The guards had orders to shoot
every prisoner who crossed the dead line,
even though he put only his hand across
it, and they usually carried out the order
with eagerness.
One day Chicknmauga crawled under
the dead line and begged the guard to
shoot him. The guard was more tender
hearted than the usual run OF them and
refused. He pitied the man and ordered
him back inside tho line day or two
later Chickamauaa, determined not to
endure the silent contempt OF bis fellow
prisoners any longer, crawled under the
line again, and when the guard again re
fused TO shoot him he began to taunt and
insult tho fellow until be worked him up
to such pitch OF evaporation that he
raised his ride and fired. Thut was the
last OF inforiners in that prison Tor awhile
anyway buffalo Express
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
COUNTY NEWS.


Cranberry Isles.
Capt. Adebert Squirting stocked last
week in a codfishing trip over si00.
son arrived at the home OF Mr.. and
Mrs. Arno ?. Stanley, Thursday-Rooert
Elliott.
Harbor next Tuesday to be ordained in
the Congregational church there.
Mrs. Sidney c. Bunker has returned
from HoIbrook, Mass, and Mrs. Mary E.
Bunker from Dexter, where they have
been spending the winter.
Fears are entertained for the safety of
Capt. S. n. Bulger, in schooner "Jennie
F. Wiley, who is on the way to New
York from South America.
Mrs. Grace Hamor, with her two
children, who has spent the last six
months in Nova Scotia, has returned
home and gone housekeeping.
Mrs Flora Coulter is in very poor
health. 1t is hoped her sisters, who are
in Brockton with her, will be able to re-
turn with her here in a short time.
and Mrs. Joseph Wooster, formerly OF
this place, is to be married at Dyea,
Alaska, May %, to DR.. Thomas Linton
Price.
VIM. |. Mayo has taken his family with
him to Southport, to remain the season,
while he is engaged in the weir business
there Orrington Squirting has gone to
take charge of his place, until Mr.. Mayo's
return.
Capt. Gilman Hamor has returned from
the south and has gone in the bay of
Chaleur" for mackerel. He reports he
did not see any mackerel in the water
during his trip south. He is greatly
troubled with Inflammation of his eyes.
The vessel wrecked on this island last
week was formerly the British schooner
"Edmoud". A short time ago she was
picked up dereict by Capt. E. j. Stanley,
in schooner "Tamson', of this place, and
towed into Milbridge, where she was
bought by Messrs. Sawyer, the ship
builders and converted into the schooner
albion. The repairs cost 81 900. There
was no insurance and she is a total loss.
The cargo of granite was insured and has
been sold by the underwriters. Charles
E. Howard and Fred Steele purchased the
hull OF the vessel for a.
May u. r.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

BROOKLYN.
The first fish of the season were taken
at the sardine factory Friday.
Schooner "White Foam" arrived from a
fishing cruise Saturday, May Ii, and re-
ports a small catch.
T. r. Alden is building a new stable
A cargo of lumber was discharged at
Haven for that and for the sidewalks.
Schooner "Pochasset" is on the passage
from New York to Prospect Harbor with
coal and supplies for the sardine business
there.
at work at West View, had a paralytic
shock which rendered him unconscious.
He was taken home and is somewhat i'm
proved at this writing.
May %. G. B. A.
Waltham.
Asa Colby has gone to Eden to work.
Miss Rena Jordan is at home for a
weeks stay.
The sociable was well patronized and
enjoyed by all.
Wellington Haslem and wife spent
Sunday in town.
Bernard Jellison and sister, of Els
worth Falls, spent Sunday with their
grandparents.
Erastus Wall, the young student who
is teaching school here and conducting
services in the church Sundays, has been
engaged to preach through the summer
months.
May %. II.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

THE AMERICAN has subscribers at JOG
Of the II6 post-ofices in Hancock county;
all the other papers in the county COM
bined do not reach so many. THE AMER
IcAN is not the only paper printed in
Hancock county, and has neuer claimed to
be, but it is the only paper that can prop
erty be called COUNTY paper; all the
rest are merely local papers. The circula-
ton Of THE AMERICAN, barring the Bar
Rarbor Records summer list, is larger
than thct of all the other papers printed
in Hancock county.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
GILES

The social event OF the season was the
marriage of Mrs. Dora E. Giles, daughte
of Mr.. and Mrs. Elijah Richardson, and
Rev. Archibald Cullens, of Glasgow, Scot
land, at the church Thursday, May 10, at
O'Clock. The church was prettily dec
GRATED with evergreen, potted plants
and cut flowers. The brides gown was
OF cream mohair, trimmed with lace and
ribbon. She wore white rose in her
hair.
Miss Inez Durham was bridesmaid. She
wore white cashmere trimmed with lace
and ribbon, and carried bouquet OF
white roses. Miss Jennie Giles, little
daughter OF the bride, was maid of honor.
She was prettily attired in white muslin,
trimmed with lace and ribbon, and car
ried a bouquet of white roses. The ushers
were Mrs. c. A. Richardson and Mrs. H..
f. Jewett, Miss Bar bsrs Harris, of Ban
gor, and Miss Alice Carter, of Brewer.
Mrs. Everett Silsby, OF Bangor, played
the wedding march.
| The bride entered the church on the
left leaning on he arm of her fat her, pre-
!
bridesmaid and maid of honor The
groom entered on the right attended by
the best man, Charles p. Marshall, a class
mate of the groom.
I The party met at the altar where the
maid of honor presented the bride with a
bouquet OF white roses, and where the
officiating clergyman, Rev. James I.
+
win, classmate of the groom, stood under
an arch of evergreen decorated wit b white
flowers, from which was suspended a bell
OF ivy and flowers. The bride was given
away by her father.
The church was well filled. Guests
from out of town were: Mrs. Emery
Richardson, OF Ellsworth; Rev. j. E.
Newton and Rev. G. A. French, classmates
OF the groom; Rev. l.. V. Farnsworth,
Rev. c. II. Harrison and Rev. w. A. Rich
mond, of the theological seminary, Ban
gor, and James Marshall, OF Dover, n. II
brother of the best man.
The bride and groom left the church
amid shower of rice. They have the
congrat ulstions of large number OF
Irlehos. Alter the ceremony reception
was held at the home OF the bride, for
relatives and intimate friends. The bride
received many handsome presents.
Mr.. Cullens recently graduated from the
| theological seminary at Bangor. He has
been aboring here as pastor for the past
| two summers and came over occasionally
| through the winter His la bors have been
attended with success and all regret to
lose him. He delivers his farewell SER
mon next Sunday.
Monday MIR. and Mrs. Cullens leave for
Steuben, where he has been engaged for
the coming year. Their many friends
wish them success in their new field OF
| labor.
May %. BELLE.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
Main Stree,
COUNTY NEWS.
West Brooksville.

FOR additional County Ne'es see other pages
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

1t is the duty OF the enlisted men, ser
gcants and corporals to carry the colors
When III the emergency OF action an officer
seized the flag, no passed beyond the line
OF duty and oftentimes earned medal of
honor thereby. AT Ghickamauga General
Steeduan took ono Of the regimental flags
and, rushing TAR to the front with 1t, ex-
claimed, Boys, III carry your nag Il
you Il defend II l'-New York Press.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

Among the Turks bath money forms an
item in every marriage contract, the
husband engaging to allow his wife a
certain sum for bathing purposes. II it
be withheld she has only to go before
the cadi and turn her slipper upside
down. II the complaint be not then re-
dressed it is a sufficient ground for divorce.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

West Hancock.
Mrs. Martha Marshall ana daughter
Jennie are visiting at Bar Harbor.
Miss Jeanne Mattocks, of West Sulli-
van, is the guest of Miss Mile V. Young.
John Edwards, of Bangor, has been the
guest OF Miss Ida Foren few days re-
Gently.
Mrs. Margaret Sawyer has returned
from Bangor, where she has been en-
ployed.
Mrs. Mabel Carter, of Ellsworth, has
been visiting her sister, Mrs. George
Marshall.
Sherman Mcfarland and H. c. MILL
ken are home from Bar Har Dor, where
they have been employed.
May %. NJ.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
The Remnant.
Mn


Who are these who march SO proud
Past the pushing. cheering crowdY
Firm and long the steps they take.
It's the Lincoln Wide Awakss.
Boy ish figures, straight and tall:
Boyish, too, the fnces all.
Ne er Q doubs, but full ~ hope,
With the future strong TO cope
1883
Who are these who march today
Past the crowds who line the wayf
Not so straight AZ when OF yore
They the starry Gag upbore-
Gray the heads, care lined each fHos,
Yet they keep martial pace,
While the stirring music rings
And the people offerings bring.
All, the years are long since they.
Young and lusty, marched awAyl
Now = city ebb and how
L. about them NJ they go.
Side by Gde there lies today
Many q gallant company:
Side by side as, whom in life,
They were camped through ymrs ID
strife,
And in distant glsns and field.
Whore the gravss lie unrevealed.
Nature, with . tender grace,
Decks the unknown resting place
Still the reAt, with airslsss fesA
Garry garlauds gay and sweet.
And the crowds upon the grass
Cheer tbs veterans ~ they pass
Chicago Inter Ocean.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25

Sound.
Julia Ellis is stopping with Mrs. Charles
Tracey and going to school.
A. A. Murphy, Walter Blake and Burton
Brown are working at Seal Harbor.
Israel Norwood and family are moving
to Indian Point, to the Fenlon Higgins
house.
May %. B.
Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-05-25
H

Whereas, Death has again entered our grange
and removed therefrom suddenly our young and
promising brother. Emery WATSON Tapley.
therefore,
Resolved, That we as members of Rainbow
grange do fully recognize the loss to our
grange, and to the families of which he was a
loved and cherished member as an adopted son
and as loved son and brother.
Resolved, That as a token of respect to the
memory of our BROTHER our altar and our char.
ter be draped in mourning for thirty days.
Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt sym
pathy to the families bereaved. trusting that,
though they may not have wisdom to under
stand this providence of God, they may have
grace given them to bear it.
Resolved, That copy of these resolutions be
sent to the Borrowing families; that a copy be
placed on record; and that a copy be sent to
THE ELLSWORTH AMERICAN for publication
LAURA HATCH JONES,
SAMUEL WATSON TAPLEY,
IRVING w. COUSINS,
May 90. Committee on resolutions.