davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

Few people probably know what it
Is that enables flies to walk on the cell
ing. II has been supposed that their
ability to do 30 was due to the fact
that each OF their feet is a miniature
air pump. This theory was found TO
be unsound, aud II was then explained
thnt the feat was made possible by
means of viscous substance which
exuded from the hairs on their feet
This theory also was abandoned as
being only partly accountable for the
facts, and the preferred explanation is
that flies are enabled to walk upside
down on smooth substances by the help
Of capillary adhesion. An investigator
has found by series of nice calcula-
tions, such as the weighing and meas
uring of hairs, that fly would be
upheld by capillary attraction were 1t
four-ninths as heavy again as 1t is.
Each fly is supposed TO be furnished
with from 10000 TO $1,000 minute foot
hairs. These exude an oily fluid. aud 4.
is because of the repulsion between a
watery surface and this oily liquid that
n fly finds 1t difficult 20 mount damp
ened glass.-Harper's Weekly.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
The SnONvdrop.

1t seems that snowdrop is not the
oldest name by which this familiar
and pretty flower was known. Once
upon time it used to be called fair
maid of February" because it bloomed
about the date of the Candlemas festi-
val, when twelve girls dressed in white
were wont to walk In procession. As
the rhyme puts 1t;
The snowdrop In purest white array
First rears her head on Candlemas day
1t was held as sacred to the memory
of the Virgin for that 1t blossomed in
honor of her first visit to the temple
with the child Jesus. The helmet flow
er was another name for 1t, in alluslon
70 its supposed resemblance to n he'll
met. In some countries of north Eu-
rope it is styled summer gowk because
1t appears on the first sunshine of the
year under the notion-poor gowk, or
fool-that summer has come. In GER
tain parts of England it is considered
unlucky to take single snowdrop in
to house at the season of its first
blossoming.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

The oldest letter written in English
OF which there is record was that to
Sir John Pelham in London by his
wife, who was then in Kent. That
letter Is dated March %, 1889, and was
sent to London by messenger.
Up to the commencement of the reign
of Edward l., all letters, even of the
most private nature, were written in
Latin. About the time of Edwards
accession, French, which had been the
spoken language of the court from the
time Of the conquest, began to be used
in written correspondence. In the
reign of Edward III. the English
language, in pursuance Of an act of
parliament, was made the language of
legislation.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Courtship In Holland.

The etiquette of Holland is exceed
ingly strict In all classes. The young
girl Is most carefully chaperoned. and
she never goes anywhere, even to
church. unless accompanied by her par.
ents, some male relative or other equal
ly trusty attendant. At dance the
parents sit round the walls slipping
their coree or wine, and the young men
must make the best Of their chances
In the opportunities afforded by the
dance, for when 1t pleases the guard.
ians to depart there is no help for It,,
but the girls must 90 too. An unmar-
ried girl always takes the right arm Of
her escort. while the matron takes the
left, perhaps because It Is nearer the
heart.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

There used to be rate wars in the
old stagecoach days In England. At
one time, early last century, one stage
coach company not only cut the price
from Lewes to London to very low
rate, but gave also other inducements.
AS the coach started from Lewes at
somewhat uncomfortably early hour
in the morning, by way Of tiding over
the difficulty the proprietors allowed
the more slothful of their passengers
to go overnight to Brighton, where
they were accommodated with good
beds free of expense and could proceed
comfortably to London by the com-
pany's morning coach,
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
BOOTS AND SPURS.
Quaint Account of Hungarian Cav
airy In Olden Days.

A contemporary manuscript account
of the diet of Ratisbon, held In 1880 by
the Emperor Ferdinand III. on the oc-
casion of the landing of Gustavus
Adolphus of Sweden in Germany, men,
tions as remarkable fact that the
Hungarian cavalry who rode through
the streets to the ceremonial wore their
spurs on their boot soles.
1t is difficult to credit that these
spurs were fixed on the fat of the boot,
for thus shod the horsemen could nei-
ther walk nor stand, especially when
the large size of the spurs worn at the
period is considered. Probably the
writer intended to indicate that in
stead Of being fastened to the heel in
the usual fashion they were made to
project from the fore part of the mill
tary boot, which is a portion of the
sole.
Frederick Won Raumer, who quotes
this in his History of the Sixteenth
and Seventeenth Centuries, Illustrated
by Original Documents" passes the
matter over without comment. The
same manuscript adds that the Hunga-
rian horses had their names, tails and
feet painted red.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
How to Keep Out of Trouble.

"The rivalry between the two arms
Of the national service the army and
navy" said an army man. sis most
shown between the marines and the
jackies on man-of-war. The marines
are soldier policemen, and the jackies
have keen contempt for them. re.
member hearing of one old tar who was
always getting into trouble. Finally
he made peace with one Of the ma
rines.
"Tell me how to keep out of trou-
bleT the old tar asked. III you'll show
me the way I'll give you my plug of
tobacco
"The marine tried the plug and found
1t to his liking. He frightened his belt.
Strengthened his cap and then delivered
himself of this advice:
Whenever you're feeling easy and
happy and comfortable. quit It. for you
be breaking rule. It's the only
way"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Three Natural Barometers.

From the earliest days of the war
men have found fascination in trying
to forctell the weather. There is an
old chap in Brooklyn who has three
barometers, as he styles them-a cat
a hive of bees and bundle of corn
fodder. AS every farmer knows full
well, corn fodder is extremely sensitive
to hygrometric changes. When dry
and crisp 1t indicates fair weather;
when damp and limp, look out for rain.
A bee was never caught in shower;
therefore. when his bees leave their
hive in search of honey he knows that
the weather is going to be good. As
for the cat-every one knows about the
tricks Of pussy and tabby. The act Of
washing the face-a sort Of dry wash
with the fore paw-is sure sign Of a
change In the weather; II below the
eyes only, fair weather; II over the
ears, rain. II puss licks her hair
against the grain or sits with her tail
to the fire, look out for squalls.-Phila-
delDhia Ledger.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

1t is gravely said by an authority
that the Dutch guilds, the most ancient
of workingmen's organizations, had
their origin in the drinking guilds,
which, although they did not, as in the
case Of the Greeks and Romans, exalt
drink to the rank of deity, made 1t n
kind of civic dignitary. These drink
guilds and drink brethren existed from
the earliest times until the latter part
of the sixteenth century, when their
excesses led to their suppression. 1t is
held that men who worked together
drank together and thus formed the
primitive club which developed into the
guild-Notes and Queries.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
AnemOne Facts.

Naturalists have duly recorded that
that " sea anemone be divided in
halves longitudinally a new animal will
In time be reproduced by each half, as
suming the anemone is kept in pure sea
water. An old zoologist relates how he
watched an anemone which somehow
or other had contrived to half swallow
one of the valves of an oyster shell.
Practically the shell struck in its glz-
card and gradually cut its way down
through the soft tissues of the anem-
one until 1t halved the animal as by
a partition. Perfect reproduction Of
two anemones through the division of
one was noted to be the result OF this
accident. Even fragment or two Of
an anemone body left attached to its
rock may in due season reproduce a
new body.-London News.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Soldiers' superstitions.

Among the numerous superstitions
OF the Cossacks there is none stronger
than the belief that they will enter
heaven in better state If they are per
sonally clean at the time they are killed
Consequently before an expected battle
they perform their toilets with scrupu-
lous care, dress themselves in clean
garments and put on the best they
have. This superstition is not confined
to the Cossacks alone, but is widely
prevalent in all branches of the Rus
sian army.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
BATTLE STANDARDS.
So Ancient That Their Use Is Mem
toned In the Bible.

TONED In the Bible.
The custom of carrying flags or stand,
ards in battle dates back at least to
1490 b. G. We find in Numbers II, 2,
that "every man of the children of
Israel shall pitch by his own standard
with the ensign of his fathers house"
Each standard of the twelve tribes thus
distinguished was supposed to have
been of color to correspond with the
stone in Aaron's breastplate which
bore the name of that tribe. Under the
generic name banner are included many
species, such as standard. ensign, pen
non, flag, etc. These have been used
from earliest times and in all countries
to direct movements of troops.
The earliest Roman standard was
a bundle of straw fixed to the top OF
a spear. This was succeeded by fig
ures of animals such as the horse and
the boar, which soon gave place to the
eagle, the chief Roman ensign, after
ward assumed by the German and
French emperors BY every warlike
people the banner has been regarded
as an emblem of national honor, in de-
fense of which each soldier was at all
times ready to die while banners and
flags taken from the enemy have al
ways been special trophies of victory
to which places Of honor in public
buildings have been assigned.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
bobby Rurns md the Mayor.

On one occasion, arriving at Carlisle
on horseback, Bobby Burns is said to
have turned his steed out to grass for
awhile, and the animal strayed on to
a meadow belonging to the corporation
and got impounded. Although the
horse was given up to him, the poet
retaliated upon the mayor, whose ten
ure of Office was to expire on the very
morrow of the incident, as follows:
Was e'er puir poet sac befitted?
The maister drunk-the horse committed
Puir harmless beast, TAX thee nae care;
Thou'lt be horse when he's nae mair
(mayor).
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Emerson ON Lincoln.

The president impressed me more
favorably than | had hoped. A frank,
sincere, well meaning man. with law
yer's habit of mind, good, clear state
ment of his fact, correct enough, not
vulgar, as described, but with a sort Of
boyish cheerfulness, or that kind Of
sincerity and jolly good meaning that
our class meetings on commencement
days show in telling our old stories
over. When he has made his remark
he looks up at you with great satisfac-
tion and shows all his white teeth and
laughs. He argued to Sumner the
whole case of Gordon, the slave
trader, point by point, and added that
he was not quite satisfied yet, and
meant to refresh his memory by look
ing again at the evidence. All this
showed a fidelity and conscientiousness
very honorable to him. When | was
introduced to him he said, "Oh, Mr..
Emerson, once heard you say In n
lecture that n Kentuckian seems to
say by his air and manners, Here am
l; If you don't like Inc, the worse for
you. "-Diary Of Il. w. Emerson in
Atlantic.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
FIRST USE OF TEA.
An Ancient Legend Ascribes II TO .
King of China.


BY whom or when the use Of tea for
drinking purposes was first discovered
is lost in antiquity. 1t is spoken of as
II famous herb in Chinese literature as
far back as 1000 years b. c., at which
time its cultivation and classification
We're almost as thorough and complete
as they are today. One of the ancient
legends says that its virtues were ac-
cidcntally learned by King Shen Nung
She the Chinese monarch who Is also
known MS 1.-The divine husbandman."
who. the record says. fourished forty
centuries ago. lie was engaged In boil
ing water over II fire made of the
branches of the tea plant and careless
ly allowed some of the leaves to fall
into the pot.
The liquid which he expected to come
from the vessel simply as steriliZed
water was miraculously converted into
an elixir Of life by the accidental ad-
dition of the tea leaves. Soon after II
became highly esteemed In all the ori.
entail cities and was used as II royal
gift from the Chinese monarchs to the
potentates of southern and western
Asia.
This same King Shen Nung She not
only earned the title of respect by
which he was known through the dis
covery of the virtues of tea, but be-
cause of being the first to teach his
people how to make and use plows and
many other implements Of husbandry.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
ANXIETY.
Effects of This Form of Mental ana
Physical Derangement.


In paper read before the congress
of French alienists at Grenoblc DR..
CASTOR Lalanne pointed out that
anxiety is disturbance which Is OK
pressed by the entire being The ex-
citing causes are sometimes physical
and sometimes psychical, and the
symptoms manifested are both phys
ical and mental. The physical symp-
toms comprise cold feelings and chills
Of the scalp and body, general lassl-
tude, inco-ordnatlon of voluntary
movements far more apparent than
real emotional coloring of speech, and
vertigo. which is dependent upon vase
motor cerebral disturbances or upon
digestive troubles. In the anxious
states there are always circulatory
troubles, such as accelerated heart beat,
irregularity of the hearts action,
heightened arterial tension and cold
ness of the eXtremities. Respiratory
disturbances are also present
The psychlcal symptoms of anxiety
include various degrees of vague dread
and apprehensiveness often taking
definite forms. in which case they are
designated as "phobias" or "obessions
of fear" weakening the capacity of at
tention and of memory, and tend
ency to confusion of ideas. lIalluci-
nations of the senses are prone to oc-
eur
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Philadelphia & Erie Railroad Division
In effect May 10Th, 1904. Trains leave
Driftwood as follows:
EASTWARD
EASTWARD

9;0i a m-Train u, weekdays, for Sunbury,
Wilkesbarrc, Iazleton, POttsvilie, Scranton,
Harrisburg and the intermediate sta
tions, arriving at Philadelphia 6:23 D. M,
New York, $3.50 y, m. Baltimore, $500 y. m.
Washington, 7:l5 y. nj Pullman Parlor car
from Williamsport TO Philadelphia and pas
scnger coaches from Kane to Philadelphia
and WilllamsDort To Baltimore and Wash
ington.
l2;5O p. m.-Train S, daily for sunbury, Har-
risDurg and principal intermediate stations,
York 1923 u. m.. Baltimore 7:;D D. M, WASH
lngton s:35 y. m. Vestlbuled parlor cars.
and passenger coaches, Buffalo TO Philadel-
phia and Washington.
400 p. m.-Train d, daily, for Har-
rlsburg and intermediate stations, ar
riving at Philadelphia 4:23 A. M; New y ork,
7.l3 II. M; Baltimore, 10 u. M; Washington
$50 4. N. Pullman Sleeping cars from
Harrisburg % Philadelphia and New York.
Philadelphia passengers can remain In
sleeper undisturbed until 1880 A. NJ.
l1;Oo p.m.-Train idaily Tor Sunbury, Harris
burg and intermediate stations arriving at
Phiiadelphin, I:lI A. NJ; New York, g;35
A. M. on week days and 1923 A N, on sun
day; Baltimore, 1:l5 A. NJ; Washington, $3.50
IA NJ, Pullman sleepers from Erie,
and Willlamsport to Philadelphia, and
ElWllliamsport To Washington. Passenger
..coaches from Erie To Philadelphia, aud
QWilliamsport TO Baltimore.
t2;ii p.m.- iraln II, daily for Sunbury, Harris
burg and principal intermediate stations,ar
riving NJ Philadelphia 1892 IA. m. New York
baltimore 1928 u, M, Washington s:i6 II IA.
Vestibuled buffet sleeping cars and pas
senger coaches Buffalo tn Philadelphia and
Washington.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
COMEDIAN SAM VALE.
He Was the Original Of snm Weller
of PicI<wtrI< Fame.

of PicI<wirIS Fame.
The original of Sam Weller was Sam
Vale an English low comedian. who.
in the early part of the last century, was
quite popular in the south of England.
In the year 1911, and for u few years
after, he made quite reputation in the
musical farce called "The Boarding
House" written by Beasley. In this
he played the part of Simon Spntter-
dash, a person who INDUCED in odd and
whimsical sayings. Come on. as the
old man said, to the tight boot" 81 am
down on YOU, as the extingulsher said
to the candle;" LET every one take
care of himself. as the donkey said
when dancing among the chickens"
are fair illustrations of his witticisms
In the course of that play, the resem-
blance between them and some of the
sayings of Sam Weller being very
marked In private life Vale was II
wit, and many good things In his own
time Were credited to him. A man of
excellent temper, he had no enemies,
and the good humor which pervnded
every saying together with the droll-
cry Of his manner, gave his witticisms
unusual value. His sayings We're called
Sam Nalerisms, and on the appearance
of Pickwick in 1886 the character of
Weller was generally recognized as II
portraiture of Vale. The comedian died
In 1913 at the age of fifty-one.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
THE WILLOW TREE.
John Parkc Custis Planted the First
One In This Country.

When the south sea bubble in Eng
land collapsed one of the spectators
went TO Smyrna to repair his fortune.
He was a friend of Alexander Pope
and sent him a box of figs In which
had been placed twig of n tree Pope
planted the twig on his grounds on the
shore of the Thames. not knowing of
what tree it was. II grew and was Il
weeping willow. In 1IT5, when the
tree was over fifty years old, one OF
the young British officers who came to
Boston with the British army brought
a twig from the tree, which le intend
ed to plant on his lands after the re-
bellion had been crushed. John Parke
Gusts, son of Mrs. Washington. going
on errands to the British camp under
flag of truce. became acquainted
with the owner of the willow twig,
which was draped in oiled silk. and OBJ
tanned 1t from him, which he planted
near his home ut Abingdon, Va, where
1t became the progenitor of all the
weeping willows in America.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Mystery Solved at Last,

II lost my notebook one day." said
a novelist. II searched the house over
for 1t. From room to room | went. ex-
amining every corner, and at the end OF
a two hours hunt found the book.
"'By Jovev ! exclaimed. I wonder
why 1t is that one always finds n thing
in the very last place one looks for IT.
Maybe said cousin Of mine. 1t
Is because after we find what we are
hunting for We end our search"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

In the very long ago hose We're not
stockings as now worn, but made long
and were often drawn up even to the
waist and, oddly enough, had pockets
In their sides. We read, moreover, that
In the time Of the Tudors and Stuarts
they We're of great variety, both of
material and color, and for such as
could command the luxury were rich
1y trimmed and costly; they We're often
called "nether stocks"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
THE AFTERNOON NAP.
sfodern Conditions killing the sies-
ta Habit In Mexico.

ta Habit In Mexico.
There are people in Mexico City who
take their afternoon nap every day,
and are greatly benefited thereby, but
their number appears to be growing
less year by year. Whether the siesta
Is beneficial or not, or whether In this
high altitude It is necessity for many
persons, as is claimed by some, its
death knell as q general custom seems
to have been sounded since the city
adopted its modern enterprise and
push. Many old residents will tell you
of the time when person In the city
of Mexico would have been considered
almost crazy If he neglected his after
noon rest. but gradually, with the ad-
vent Of the railways, the street cars
and the electric lights, came the in
evitnble sleeplessness which is one Of
the most noticeable characteristics Of
modern civilization.
There are several supporters Of the
siesta idea in this city who express re-
gret that the custom appears to be
passing away. These persons, who are
'hShiS'iNes utNoiecs VI the ptuSpNt'
claim that 1t Is n healthful and nerve
restoring habit and that II 1t were In
dulged in Systematically by the people
of the United States and other pro-
gressive countries there would be few
or cases of nervous wrecks for the
newspapers to report. early rising
and n short nap after dinner" is what
these people advocate, claiming that
the best work of most persons is per-
formed in the morning. Mexican Her
oil
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

Don't be afraid of making me angry
by telling me your candid opinion Of
my verses, old fellow. Criticism doesn't
make any difference with me-"
Il know that, my dear boy, but the
trouble is that 1t doesn't make any
difference with your verses ether
New Orleans Times Democrat.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
sure to be Oxerfed.

"Ah, doctor, glad to meet yOu." said
Mr.. FOrsyte. II wish you'd drop around
to the house at about this evening" !"
"None Of the children sick, hope?"
mo. But they will be when they
get back from their grandmothers.
They're there for supper. ."-Philadel
phia Ledger.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

II observe that you invariably praise
your rivals" said one actress.
"Yes," answered the other. Its the
wisest thing to do. 1t sounds mag
nanimous and also conveys the impress
sion that you do not consider them
worth being jealous Of."--Washington
Star
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

Graphter-I've got my hooks out for
swell political office, big salary and
all that. Jenkins-Do you think you
can I'LL It? Graphter-Never thought
Of that. What's worrying me is wheth-
er I'll be able to get philadelphia
Ledger
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
WESTWARD

Train 952 Sunday leaves Dubois 4.1O d. m.
Falls Creek Az, Reynoldsvlllei i.3O, Brookville
800. Red Bank $50, Pittsburg $50 D. m.
No. lO7 daily between Pittsburg and Du Bois.
On Sundays only train leaves Driftwood at
$50 Il. m arrives Dubois 1000 IA. IN. Return
Ing leaves Dubois 200 p. M, arrives Drift
wood $40 y. IN, stopping at intermediate sta
tions
OTrains marked run daily;s daily, except
Sunday; flag station, where signals must be
shown.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03

A would be grateful public is waiting
to reward the man who will invent a
car window that can always be opened
easily In summer, but can only be
opened by consent Of the majority In
winter.-Philadelphia Inquirer.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
singular ana Plural.

Funny There was time when the
BARRIERS used to speak Of my hair"
"You mean before you began to get
bald?"
''Yes. Now they speak of my hairs"
-Philadelphia Press. n
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
An Expensive wedding.

"The bride nearly tainted during the
ceremony and had to be supported by
her father until il was over"
'Yes, and now ! hear her father II
supporting both of them"
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
ConjugaI Amenities.

She-I was fool when married
you. He-Aren't you fool stilli she
No. am not. He-Then you should
be thankful to me for reforming you
London Tit-Bits.
The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-08-03
Fooiinx His stomach.

Landlady-You did not wear glasses
when you first came here. Why do
you wear them now? Boarder-I want
TO make the food look as large as pos
lible